THE  WATER  WITCH 


ILF 


B    3    3 El 


GIFT  OF 
Mrs.    W.    Bars tow 


THE  WATER  WITCH 


OR 


THE  SKIMMER  OF  THE  SEAS 


A  TALE 


BY 

J.    FENIMORE   COOPER 


'•Mais,  que  diable  alloit-il  fairs  dans cette  gal&re?" 


THE  MERSHON  COMPANY 
RAHWAY,    N.    J.  NEW    YORK 


^  c 


•uJ. 


PREFACE. 


IT  w  ts  i  bold  attempt  to  lay  the  scene  of  a  work  like  this,  on 
the  coast  of  America.  We  have  had  our  Buccaneers  on  the 
water,  and  our  Witches  on  the  land,  but  we  believe  this  is  the 
first  occasion  on  which  the  rule  has  been  reversed.  After  an 
experience  that  has  now  lasted  more  than  twenty-years,  the  re 
sult  has  shown  that  the  public  prefer  the  original  order  of 
things.  In  other  words,  the  book  has  proved  a  comparative 
failure. 

The  facts  of  this  country  are  all  so  recent  and  so  familiar, 
that  every  innovation  on  them,  by  means  of  the  imagination, 
is  coldly  received,  if  it  be  not  absolutely  frowned  upon.  Per 
haps  it  would  have  been  safer  to  have  written  a  work  of  this 
character  without  a  reference  to  any  particular  locality.  The 
few  local  allusions  that  are  introduced  are  not  essential  to  the 
plot,  and  might  have  been  dispensed  with  without  lessening  the 
interest  of  the  tale. 

Nevertheless,  this  is  probably  the  most  imaginative  book  ever 
written  by  the  author.  Its  fault  is  in  blending  too  much  of 
the  real  with  the  purely  ideal.  Half-way  measures  will  not  do 
in  matters  of  this  sort ;  and  it  is  always  safer  to  preserve  the 
identity  of  a  book  by  a  fixed  and  determinate  character  than 
to  make  the  effort  to  steer  between  the  true  and  the  false. 

Several  liberties  have  been  taken  with  the  usages  of  the 
colony,  with  a  view  to  give  zest  to  the  descriptions.  If  the 
Dutch  of  this  country  ever  resorted  to  the  common  practice 
of  Holland  in  giving  such  names  as  the  "Lust  in  Rust "  to 
their  villas,  it  has  not  only  passed  out  of  sight,  but  out  of  mind. 
In  the  other  Country,  as  one  moves  along  the  canals,  he  sees 
names  of  thL  character,  painted  on  different  objects,  every 
mile  he  advances,  and  admires  the  contentment  which  is  satis 
fied  with  a  summer-house,  a  pipe,  a  canal,  a  meadow  that  is 
almost  under  water,  and,  indeed,  with  a  country  that  is  what 
seamen  term  lf  awash.''  But  nothing  of  this  sort  was  ever 
seen  here.  The  fh,c  natural  scenery  forbade  it;  and  a  villa  on 
the  banks  of  the_Jiud«pa  v/?v  g  j-esidence  that  possessed  ID 

M101Q5£  , 


4  FREFACF,. 

itself  advantages  to  s*t  at  naught  such  small  contrivances  of 
luxury. 

Some  persons  may  object  to  the  manner  in  which  we  have 
sketched  £he  conduct  and  character  of  Cornbury.  We  believe, 
however/ that  the  truth  is  not  exceeded  in  any  thing  said  of 
this  individual,  who  would  seem  to  have  had  neither  dignity, 
self-respect,  nor  principles.  The  fact  that  he  remained  in  this 
country  a  prisoner  for  debt,  is  historical,  his  creditors  most 
probably  hoping  to  extort  from  Anne  further  concessions  in  be 
half  of  her  worthless  relative. 

As  for  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook,  the  genus  seems  about 
to  expire  among  us.  Not  only  are  we  to  have  no  more  pa- 
troons,  but  the  decree  ^s  gone  forth  from  the  virtuous  and 
infallible  voters  that  there  are  to  be  no  more  estates. 

«  All  the  realm  shall  be  in  common,  and  in  Cheapside  shall  my  palfrey  go 
to  grass." 

Tae  collected  wisdom  of  the  State  has  decided  that  it  is  true 
policy  to  prevent  the  affluent  from  investing  their  money  in 
land  !  The  curse  of  mediocrity  weighs  upon  us,  and  its  blun 
ders  can  be  repaired  only  through  the  hard  lessons  of  exper 
ience. 

This  book  was  written  in  Italy,  and  first  printed  (in  Eng 
lish)  in  Germany.  'To  the  last  circumstance  is  probably  ow 
ing  the  great  number  of  typographical  errors  that  are  to  be 
found  in  it.  The  American  compositor,  however,  quite  likely 
conceiving  that  he  had  a  right  to  correct  the  blunders  of  3  for 
eigner,  has  taken  the  law  into  his  own  hands,  and  exercised  a, 
sovereign  power  over  our  labors.  That  our  good  old-fashioned 
mode  of  spelling  should  receive  the  modern  improvements 
was,  perhaps,  unavoidable;  but  surely,  we  never  spelt  "  coam 
ings  "  (of  a  hatch),  "combings;  "  "  rullock,"  "oar-lock," 
or  "  row-lock  ;  "  or  made  many  other  similar  "  'long-shore  " 
blunders  that  are  to  be  found  in  the  original  editions  of  this 
book. 

Care  has  been  had  to  do  ourselves  justice  in  these  particu 
lars,  and  we  think  that  the  book  is  more  improved,  in  all  these 
respects,  in  the  present  edition,  than  any  other  work  that  has 
passed  through  our  lands. 


THE  WATER-WITCH. 


CHAPTER  I 

*»  What,  shall  this  speech  be  spoke  for  our  excuse, 
Or  shall  we  on  without  apology  ?  " 

ROMEO  AND  JULIIT. 

THE  fine  estuary  which  penetrates  the  American  coast  be 
tween  the  fortieth  and  forty-first  degrees  of  latitude,  is  formed 
by  the  confluence  of  the  Hudson,  the  Hackensack,  the  Passaic, 
the  Raritan,  and  a  multitude  of  smaller  streams ;  all  of  which 
pour  their  tribute  into  the  ocean  within  the  space  named.  The 
islands  of  Nassau  and  Staten  are  happily  placed  to  exclude 
the  tempests  of  the  open  sea,  while  the  deep  and  broad  arms 
of  the  latter  offer  every  desirable  facility  for  foreign  trade,  and 
internal  intercourse.  To  this  fortunate  disposition  of  land  and 
water,  with  a  temperate  climate,  a  central  position,  and  an 
immense  interior,  that  is  now  penetrated  in  every  direction 
either  by  artificial  or  by  natural  streams,  the  city  of  New 
York  is  indebted  for  its  extraordinary  prosperity.  Though 
not  wanting  in  beauty,  there  are  many  bays  that  surpass  this 
in  the  charms  of  scenery ;  but  it  may  be  questioned  if  the 
world  possesses  another  site  that  unites  so  many  natural  ad 
vantages  for.  the  growth  and  support  of  a  widely-extended 
commerce.  As  if  never  wearied  with  her  kindness,  Nature 
has  placed  the  island  of  Manhattan  at  the  precise  point  that  is 
most  desirable  for  the  position  of  a  town.  Millions  might 
inhabit  the  spot,  and  yet  a  ship  could  load  near  every  door ; 
and,  while  the  surface  of  the  land  just  possesses  the  inequali 
ties  that  are  required  for  health  and  cleanliness,  its  bosom  is 
filled  with  the  material  most  needed  in  construction. 

The  consequences  of  so  unusual  a  concurrence  of  favorable 
circumstances,  are  well  known.  A  vigorous,  healthful,  and 
continued  growth,  that  has  no  parallel  even  in  the  history  of 
this  extraordinary  and  fortunate  country,  has  already  raised 


6  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

the  insignificant  provincial  town  of  the  last  century,  to  the  level 
of  the  second-rate  cities  of  the  other  hemisphere.  The  New 
Amsterdam  of  this  continent  already  rivals  its  parent  of  the 
other ;  and,  so  far  as  human  powers,  may  pretend  to  predict,  a 
few  fleeting  years  will  place  her  on  a  level  with  the  proudest 
Qa.pita.ls  of,  Europe,. ,  „ 

-It ;  w.ould  .'seem  •  that,  as  Nature  has  given  its  periods  to  the 
stages  of  'animal 'life'; 'it  has  also  set  its  limits  to  all  moral  and 
political  .asceqdency.  t\  While  the  city  of  the  Medici  is  reced 
ing  :froiri  its '  crumbling  .w^ills,  like  the  human  form  shrinking 
into  *'the  lean  and" slippered  pantaloon,"  the  Queen  of  the 
Adriatic  sleeping  on  her  muddy  isles,  and  Rome  itself  is  only 
to  be  traced  by  fallen  temples  and  buried  columns,  the  youth 
ful  vigor  of  America  is  fast  covering  the  wilds  of  the  West  with 
the  happiest  fruits  of  human  industry. 

By  the  Manhattanese  who  is  familiar  with  the  forest  of 
masts,  the  miles  of  wharves,  the  countless  villas,  the  hundred 
churches,  the  castles,  the  smoking  and  busy  vessels  that  crowd 
his  bay,  the  daily  increase  and  the  general  movement  of  his 
native  town,  the  picture  we  are  about  to  sketch  will  scarcely 
be  recognized.  He  who  shall  come  a  generation  later  will 
probably  smile,  that  subject  of  admiration  should  have  been 
found  in  the  existing  condition  of  the  city ;  and  yet  we  shall 
attempt  to  carry  the  recollections  of  the  reader  but  a  century 
back  in  the  brief  history  of  his  country. 

As  the  sun  rose  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  June,  171-, 
the  report  of  a  cannon  was  heard  rolling  along  the  waters  of 
the  Hudson.  Smoke  issued  from  an  embrasure  of  a  small 
fortress,  that  stood  on  the  point  of  land  where  the  river  and 
the  bay  mingle  their  waters.  The  explosion  was  followed  by 
the  appearance  of  a  flag,  which,  as  it  rose  to  the  summit  of  its 
staff  and  unfolded  itself  heavily  in  the  light  current  of  air, 
showed  the  blue  field  and  red  cross  of  the  English  ensign.  At 
the  distance  of  several  miles,  the  dark  masts  of  a  ship  were  to 
be  seen,  faintly  relieved  by  the  verdant  background  of  the  % 
heights  of  Staten  Island.  A  little  cloud  floated  over  this  ob-  * 
ject,  and  then  an  answering  signal  came  dull  and  rumbling  to 
the  town.  The  flag  that  the  cruiser  set  was  not  visible  in  the 
distance. 

At  the  precise  moment  that  the  noise  of  the  first  gun  was 
heard,  the  door  of  one  of  the  principal  dwellings  of  the  town 
opened,  and  a  man,  who  might  have  been  its  master,  appeared 
on  its  stoop,  as  the  ill-arranged  entrances  of  the  buildings  of 
the  place  are  still  termed.  He  was  seemingly  prepared  foi 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  7 

some  expedition  that  was  likely  to  consume  the  day.  A  black 
of  middle  age,  followed  the  burgher  to  the  threshold  ;  and 
another  negro,  who  had  not  yet  reached  the  stature  of  man 
hood,  bore  under  his  arm  a  small  bundle,  that  probably 
contained  articles  of  the  first  necessity  to  the  comfort  of  his 
master. 

"  Thrift,  Mr.  Euclid,  thrift  is  your  true  philosopher's  stone," 
commenced,  or  rather  continued  in  a  rich,  full-mouthed 
Dutch,  the  proprietor  of  the  dwelling,  who  had  evidently  been 
giving  a  leave-taking  charge  to  his  principal  slave,  before 
quitting  the  house — "thrift  hath  made  many  a  man  rich,  but 
it  never  yet  brought  any  one  to  want.  It  is  thrift  which  has 
built  up  the  credit  of  my  house,  and,  though  it  is  said  by  my 
self,  a  broader  back  and  firmer  base  belongs  to  no  merchant  in 
the  colonies.  You  are  but  the  reflection  of  your  master's 
prosperity,  you  rogue,  and  so  much  the  greater  need  that  you 
look  to  his  interests.  If  the  substance  is  wasted,  what  will 
become  of  the  shadow  ?  When  I  get  delicate,  you  will  sicken ; 
when  I  am  a-hungered,  you  will  be  famished ;  when  I  die,  you 
may  be — ahem — Euclid.  I  leave  thee  in  charge  with  goods 
and  chattels,  house  and  stable,  with  my  character  in  the  neigh 
borhood.  I  am  going  to  the  Lust  in  Rust,  for  a  mouthful  of 
better  air.  Plague  and  fevers  !  I  believe  the  people  will  con 
tinue  to  come  into  this  crowded  town,  until  it  gets  to  be  as 
pestilent  as  Rotterdam  in  the  dog-days.  You  have  now  come 
to  years  when  a  man  obtains  his  reflection,  boy,  and  I  expect 
suitable  care  and  discretion  about  the  premises,  while  my  back 
is  turned.  Now,  harkee,  sirrah  :  I  am  not  entirely  pleased 
with  the  character  of  thy  company.  It  is  not  altogether  as 
respectable  as  becomes  the  confidential  servant  of  a  man  of  a 
certain  station  in  the  world.  There  are  thy  two  cousins,  Brom 
and  Kobus,  who  are  no  better  than  a  couple  of  blackguards ; 
and  as  for  the  English  negro,  Diomede — he  is  a  devil's  imp  ! 
Thou  hast  the  'other  locks  at  disposal,  and,"  drawing  with 
visible  reluctance  the  instrument  from  his  pocket,  "  here  is  the 
key  of  the  stable.  Not  a  hoof  is  to  quit  it,  but  to  go  to  the 
pump ;  and  see  that  each  animal  has  its  food  to  a  minute.  The 
devil's  roisterers  !  a  Manhattan  negro  takes  a  Flemish  gelding 
for  a  gaunt  hound  that  is  never  out  of  breath,  and  away  he  goes 
at  night,  scampering  along  the  highways  like  a  Yankee  witch 
switching  through  the  air  on  a  broomstick ;  but  mark  me, 
Master  Euclid,  I  have  eyes  in  my  head,  as  thou  knowest  by 
bitter  experience  !  D'ye  remember,  ragamuffin,  the  time  when 
I  saw  thee,  from  the  Hague,  riding  the  beasts,  as  if  the  devil 


8  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

spurred  them,  along  the  dike  of  Leyden,  without  remorse  as 
without  leave?" 

"I  alway  b'rieve  some  make-mischief  tell  masser  dat 
time,"  returned  the  negro,  sulkily,  though  not  without 
doubt. 

1 '  His  own  eyes  were  the  tell-tales.  If  masters  had  no  eyes, 
a  pretty  world  would  the  negroes  make  of  it !  I  have  got  the 
measure  of  every  black  heel  on  the  island  registered  in  the  big 
book  you  see  me  so  often  looking  into,  especially  on  Sundays; 
and,  if  either  of  the  tire-legs  I  have  named  dares  to  enter  my 
grounds,  let  him  expect  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  city  provost. 
What  do  the  wild-cats  mean?  Do  they  think  that  the  geldings 
were  bought  in  Holland,  with  charges  for  breaking  in,  ship 
ment,  insurance,  freight,  and  risk  of  diseases,  to  have  then- 
flesh  melted  from  their  ribs  like  a  cook's  candle?  " 

"  Ere  no'tin'  done  in  all  'e  island,  but  a  color'  man  do  him! 
He  do  a  mischief,  and  he  do  all  a  work,  too  !  .  I  won  er  what 
color'  masser  t'ink  war'  Captain  Kidd?" 

1 '  Black  or  white,  he  was  a  rank  rogue ;  and  you  see  the 
end  he  came  to.  '  I  warrant  you,  now,  that  water-thief  began 
his  iniquities  by  riding  the  neighbors'  horses  at  night.  His 
fate  should  be  a  warning  to  every  nigger  in  the  colony.  The 
imps  of  darkness  !  The  English  have  no  such  scarcity  of 
rogues  at  home,  that  they  could  not  spare  us  the  pirate  to 
hang  up  on  one  of  the  islands,  as  a  scarecrow  to  the  blacks  of 
Manhattan." 

"Well,  I  t'ink  'e  sight  do  a  white  man  some  good,  too," 
returned  Euclid,  who  had  all  the  pertinacity  of  a  spoiled  Dutch 
negro,  singularly  blended  with  affection  for  him  in  whose  serv 
ice  he  had  been  born.  "I  hear  ebbery  body  say,  'ere  war* 
but  two  color'  man  in  he  ship,  and  'em  both  war'  Guinea- 
born." 

"A  modest  tongue,  thou  midnight  scamper!  look  to  my 
geldings. — Here — here  are  two  Dutch  florins,  three  stivers, 
and  a  Spanish  pistareen,  for  thee  ;  one  of  the  florins  is  for  thy 
old  mother,  and  with  the  others  thou  canst  lighten  thy  heart 
in  the  Paus  merry-makings — if  I  hear  that  either  of  thy  ras 
cally  cousins,  or  the  English  Diomede,  has  put  a  leg  across 
beast  of  mine,  it  will  be  the  worst  for  all  Africa  !  Famine  and 
skeletons  !  here  have  I  been  seven  years  trying  to  fatten  the 
nags,  and  they  still  look  more  like  weasels  than  a  pair  of  solid 
geldings." 

The  close  of  this  speech  was  rather  muttered  in  the  dis- 
*iiJice,  and  by  way  of  soliloquy,  than  actually  administered  ta 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  9 

the  namesake  of  the  great  mathematician.  The  air  of  the 
negro  had  been  a  little  equivocal  during  the  parting  admoni 
tion.  There  was  an  evident  struggle  in  his  mind  between  an 
innate  love  of  disobedience  and  a  secret  dread  of  his  mas 
ter's  means  of  information.  So  long  as  the  latter  continued 
in  sight,  the  black  watched  his  form  in  doubt ;  and,  when 
it  had  turned  a  corner,  he  stood  at  a  gaze  for  a  moment 
with  a  negro  on  a  neighboring  stoop;  then  both  shook 
their  heads  significantly,  laughed  aloud,  and  retired.  That 
nighjt  the  confidential  servant  attended  to  :he  interests  of 
his  absent  master  with  a  fidelity  and  care  which  proved  he 
felt  his  own  existence  identified  with  that  of  a  man  who 
claimed  so  close  a  right  in  his  person ;  and,  just  as  the 
clock  struck  ten,  he  and  the  negro  last  mentioned  mounted 
the  sluggish  and  over-fattened  horses,  and  galloped  as  hard 
as  foot  could  be  laid  to  the  earth,  several  miles  deeper  into 
the  island,  to  attend  a  frolic  at  one  of  the  usual  haunts  of 
the  people  of  their  color  and  condition. 

Had  Alderman  Myndert  Van  Beverout  suspected  the  calam 
ity  which  was  so  soon  to  succeed  his  absence,  it  is  probable 
that  his  mien  would  have  been  less  composed,  as  he  pursued 
his  way  from  his  own  door,  on  the  occasion  named.  That  he 
had  confidence  in  the  virtue  of  his  menaces,  however,  may  be 
inferred  from  the  tranquillity  which  immediately  took  posses 
sion  of  features  that  were  never  disturbed  without  wearing  an 
appearance  of  unnatural  effort.  The  substantial  burgher  was 
a  little  turned  of  fifty ;  and  an  English  wag,  who  had  im 
ported  from  the  mother-country  a  love  for  the  humor  of  his 
nation,  had  once,  in  a  conflict  of  wits  before  the  city  council, 
described  him  to  be  a  man  of  alliterations.  When  called  upon 
to  explain  away  this  breach  of  parliamentary  decorum,  the 
punster  had  got  rid  of  the  matter  by  describing  his  opponent 
to  be  "  short,  solid,  and  sturdy  in  stature;  full,  flushed  and 
funny  in  face  ;  and  proud,  ponderous,  #nd  pragmatical  in  pro 
pensities."  But,  as  is  usual,  in  all  sayings  of  effort,  there  was 
more  smartness  than  truth  in  this  description  ;  though,  after 
making  a  trifling  allowance  for  the  coloring  of  political  rivalry, 
the  reader  may  receive  its  physical  portion  as  sufficiently  de 
scriptive  to  answer  all4;he  necessary  purposes  of  this  tale.  If 
we  add,  that  he  was  a  trader  of  great  wealth  and  shrewdness, 
and  a  bachelor,  we  need  say  no  more  in  this  stage  of  the  nar 
rative. 

Notwithstanding  the  early  hour  at  which  this  industrious 
and  flourishing  merchant  quitted  his  abode,  his  movement 


IO  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

along  the  narrow  streets  of  his  native  town  was  measured  and 
dignified.  More  than  once  he  stopped  to  speak  to  some  favor 
ite  family-servant,  invariably  terminating  his  inquiries  after 
the  health  of  the  master,  by  some  facetious  observation 
idapted  to  the  habits  and  capacity  of  the  slave.  From  this  it 
would  seem,  that,  while  he  had  so  exaggerated  notions  of  do 
mestic  discipline,  the  worthy  burgher  was  far  from  being  one 
who  indulged,  by  inclination,  in  the  menaces  he  has  been 
heard  to  utter.  He  had  just  dismissed  one  of  these  loitering 
negroes,  when,  on  turning  a  corner,  a  man  of  his  own  color, 
for  the  first  time  that  morning,  suddenly  stood  before  him. 
The  startled  citizen  made  an  involuntary  movement  to  avoid 
the  unexpected  interview,  and  then,  perceiving  the  difficulty 
of  such  a  step,  he  submitted  with  as  good  a  grace  as  if  it  had 
been  one  of  his  own  seeking. 

"  The  orb  of  day — the  morning  gun — and  Mr.  Alderman 
Van  Beverout  !  "  exclaimed  the  individual  encountered. 
".Such  is  the  order  of  events,  at  this  early  hour,  on  each  suc 
cessive  revolution  of  our  earth." 

The  countenance  of  the  alderman  had  barely  time  to  re 
cover  its  composure,  ere  he  was  required  to  answer  to  this  free 
and  somewhat  facetious  salutation.  Uncovering  his  head,  he 
bowed  so  ceremoniously  as  to  leave  the  other  no  reason  to  ex 
ult  in  his  pleasantry,  as  he  answered : 

"  The  colony  has  reason  to  regret  the  services  of  a  governor 
who  can  quit  his  bed  so  soon.  That  we  of  business  habits  stir 
betimes  is  quite  in  reason  ;  but  there  are  those  in  this  town 
who  would  scarce  believe  their  eyes  did  they  enjoy  my  present 
happiness." 

"  Sir,  there  are  many  in  this  colony  who  have  great  reason 
to  distrust  their  senses,  though  none  can  be  mistaken  in  be- 
heving  they  see  Alderman  Van  Beverout  in  a  well-employed 
man.  He  that  dealeth  in  the  produce  of  the  beaver,  must 
have  the  animal's  perseverance  and  forethought !  Now  were  I 
Ji  king-at-arms,  there  should  be  a  concession  made  in  thy  fa 
vor,  Myndert,  of  a  shield  bearing  the  animal  mordant,  a  man 
tle  of  fur,  with  two  Mohawk  hunters  for  supporters,  and  the 
motto,  '  Industry.'  " 

"  Or  what  think  you,  my  lord,"  returned  the  other,  who 
did  not  more  than  half  relish  the  pleasantry  of  his  companion, 
"of  a  spotless  shield  for  a  clear  conscience,  with  an  open 
hand  for  a  crest,  and  the  motto,  '  Frugality  and  Justice  ?  ' ' 

f<  I  like  the  open  hand,  though  the  conceit  is  pretending.  I 
Mi.  you  would  intimate  that  the  Van  Beverouts  have  not  need, 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  II 

at  this  late  day,  to  search  a.  herald's  office  for  honors.  I  re 
member,  now  I  bethink  me,  on  some  occasion  to  have  seen 
their  bearings,  a  windmill,  courant ;  dike,  coulant ;  field,  vert 
sprinkled  with  black  cattle — no  !  then,  memory  is  treacherous; 
the  morning  air  is  pregnant  with  food  for  the  imagination. " 

"  Which  is  not  a  coin  to  satisfy  a  creditor,  my  lord,"  said 
the  caustic  Myndert. 

"  Therein  has  truth  been  pithily  spoken.  This  is  an  ill- 
judged  step,  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  that  lets  a  gentleman 
out  by  night,  like  the  ghost  in  '  Hamlet,'  to  flee  into  the  nar 
row  house  with  the  crowing  of  the  cock.  The  ear  of  my  jrryal 
cousin  hath  been  poisoned,  worse  than  was  the  ear  of  *  mur 
dered  Denmark,'  or  the  partisans  of  this  Mister  Hunter  would 
have  little  cause  to  triumph." 

"  Is  it  not  possible  to  give  such  pledges  to  those  who  have 
turned  the  key,  as  will  enable  your  lordship  to  apply  the  anti 
dote?" 

The  question  struck  a  chord  that  changed  the  whole  man 
ner  of  the  other.  His  air,  which  had  borne  the  character  of 
a  genteel  trifler,  became  more  grave  and  dignified ;  and  not 
withstanding  there  was  the  evidence  of  a  reckless  disposition 
in  his  features,  dress,  and  carriage,  his  tall  and  not  ungraceful 
form,  as  he  walked  slowly  onward,  by  the  side  of  the  compact 
alderman,  was  not  without  much  of  that  insinuating  ease  and 
blandishment  which  long  familiarity  with  good  company  can 
give  even  to  the  lowest  moral  worth. 

"Your  question,  worthy  sir,  manifests  great  goodness  of 
heart,  and  corroborates  that  reputation  for  generosity  the  world 
so  freely  gives.  It  is  true  that  the  queen  has  been  persuaded  to 
sign  the  mandate  of  my  recall,  and  it  is  certain  that  Mr.  Hun 
ter  has  the  government  of  the  colony  ;  but  these  are  facts  that 
might  be  reversed,  were  I  once  in  a  position  to  approach  my 
kinswoman.  I  do  not  disclaim  certain  indiscretions,  sir ;  it 
would  ill  become  me  to  deny  them,  in  presence  of  one  whose 
virtue  is  as  severe  as  that  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout.  I  have 
my  failings  ;  perhaps,  as  you  have  just  been  pleased  to  inti 
mate,  it  would  have  been  better  had  my  motto  been  frugality  ; 
but  the  open  hand,  dear  sir,  is  a  part  of  the  design  you  will 
not  deny  me,  either.  If  I  have  weaknesses,  my  enemies  can 
not  refuse  to  say  that  I  never  yet  deserted  a  friend." 

"Not  having  had  occasion  to  tax  your  friendship,  I  shria 
not  be  the  first  one  to  make  the  charge." 

"  Your  impartiality  has  come  to  be  a  proverb  !  ;  As  honest 
as  Alderman  Van  Beverout, '  '  as  generous  as  Alderman  Van 


12  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Beverout/  are  terms  in  each  man's  mouth ;  some  say  '  as 
rich'  "  (the  small  blue  eye  of  the  burgher  twinkled).  "  But 
honesty,  and  riches,  and  generosity,  are  of  little  value,  with 
out  influence.  Men  should  have  their  natural  consideration  in 
society.  Now  this  colony  is  rather  Dutch  than  English,  and 
yet,  you  see,  how  few  names  are  found  in  the  list  of  the  Coun 
cil,  that  have  been  known  in  the  province  half  a  century  ! 
Here  are  your  Alexanders  and  Heathcotes,  your  Morrises  and 
Kennedies,  De  Lanceys  and  Livingstons,  filling  the  Council 
and  the  legislative  halls ;  but  we  find  few  of  the  Van  Rensse- 
laers,  Van  Courtlandts,  Van  Schuylers,  Stuyvesants,  Van 
Beekmans,  and  Van  Beverouts,  in  their  natural  stations. 
All  nations  and  religions  have  precedency,  in  the  royal 
favor,  over  the  children  of  the  Patriarchs.  The  Bohe 
mian  Felipses ;  the  Huguenot  De  Lanceys,  and  Bayards,  and 
Jays;  the  king-hating  Morrises  and  Ludlows — in  short,  all 
have  greater  estimation  in  the  eyes  of  government  than  the 
most  ancient  patroon  !  " 

' '  This  has  long  and  truly  been  the  case.  I  cannot  remem 
ber  when  it  was  otherwise." 

"  It  may  not  be  denied.  But  it  would  little  become  politi* 
cal  discretion  to  affect  precipitancy  in  the  judgment  of  charac 
ter.  If  my  own  administration  can  be  stigmatized  with  the 
same  apparent  prejudice,  it  proves  the  clearer  how  strong  is 
misrepresentation  at  home.  Time  was  wanting  to  enlighten 
my  mind,  and  tha^  time  has  been  refused  me.  In  another 
year,  my  worthy  sir,  the  Council  should  have  been  filled  with 
Vans  !  " 

"In  such  a  case,  my  lord,  the  unhappy  condition  in  which 
you  are  now  placed  might  indeed  have  been  avoided." 

"Is  it  too  late  to  arrest  the  evil  ?  "It  is  time  Anne  had  been 
undeceived,  and  her  mind  regained.  There  wanteth  nothing 
to  such  a  consummation  of  justice,  sir,  but  opportunity.  It 
touches  me  to  the  heart,  to  think  that  this  disgrace  should  be 
fall  one  so  near  the  royal  blood  !  'Tis  a  spot  on  the  escutcheon 
of  the  crown  that  all  loyal  subjects  must  feel  desirious  to 
efface,  and  so  small  an  effort  would  effect  the  object,  too,  with 
certain — Mr.  Alderman  Myndert  Van  Beverout — ?" 

"  My  lord,  late  governor,"  returned  the  other,  observing 
that  his  companion  hesitated. 

"What  think  you  of  this  Hanoverian  settlement? — Shall  a 
German  wear  the  crown  of  a  Plantagenet?  " 

"  It  hath  been  worn  by  a  Hollander." 

•'Aptly  answered)     Worn,  and  worn  worthily  !     There  is 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  13 

affinity  between  the  people,  and  there  is  reason  in  that  reply. 
How  have  I  failed  in  wisdom,  in  not  seeking  earlier  the  aid  of 
thy  advice,  excellent  sir  !  Ah,  Myndert,  there  is  a  blessing 
on  the  enterprises  of  all  who  come  of  the  Low  Countries  !  " 

"  They  are  industrious  to  earn,  and  slow  to  squander." 

"  That  expenditure  is  the  ruin  of  many  a  worthy  subject  \ 
And  yet  accident — chance — fortune — or  whatever  you  may 
choose  to  call  it,  interferes  nefariously  at  times  with  a  gentle 
man's  prosperity.  I  am  an  adorer  of  constancy  in  friendship, 
sir,  and  hold  the  principle  that  men  should  aid  each  other 
through  this  dark  vale  of  life. — Mr.  Alderman  Van  Beverout — " 

"My  Lord  Cornbury  !  " 

"  I  was  about  to  say,  that  should  I  quit  the  province  with 
out  expressing  part  of  the  regret  I  feel  at  not  having  sooner  as 
certained  the  merits  of  its  original  owners,  and  your  own  in 
particular,  I  should  do  injustice  to  sensibilities  that  are  only 
too  acute  for  the  peace  of  him  who  endures  them." 

"  Is  there,  then,  hope  that  your  lordship's- creditor  will  re 
lent,  or  has  the  earl  furnished  means  to  cpen  the  prison-door  ?  " 

"  You  use  the  pleasantest  terms,  sir  I — but  I  love  directness 
of  language  above  all  other  qualities.  No  doubt  the  prison- 
door,  as  you  have  so  clearly  expressed  it,  might  be  opened, 
and  lucky  would  be  the  man  who  should  turn  the  key.  I  am 
pained  when  I  think  of  the  displeasure  of  the  queen,  which, 
sooner  or  later,  will  surely  visit  my  luckless  persecutors.  On 
the  other  hand,  I  find  relief  in  thinking  of  the  favor  she  will 
extend  to  those  who  have  proved  my  friends  in  such  a  strait. 
They  that  wear  crowns  love  not  to  see  disgrace  befall  the 
meanest  of  their  blood,  for  something  of  the  taint  may  sully 
even  the  ermine  of  majesty. — Mr.  Alderman — ?" 

"  My  lord!" 

41 — How  fare  the  Flemish  geldings?" 

•'  Bravely,  and  many  thanks,  my  lord  ;  the  rogues  are  fat  as 
butter  !  There  is  hope  of  a  little  rest  for  the  innocent,  since 
business  calls  me  to  the  Lust  in  Rust.  There  should  be  a  law, 
lord  governor,  to  gibbet  the  black  that  rides  a  beast  at  night/' 

"  1  bethought  of  some  condign  punishment  for  so  heartless  a 
crime,  but  there  is  little  hope  for  it  under  the  administration 
of  this  Mr.  Hunter.  Yes,  sir,  were  I  once  more  in  the  pres 
ence  of  my  royal  cousin,  there  would  quickly  be  an  end  to 
this  delusion,  and  the  colony  should  be  once  more  restored  to 
a  healthful  state.  The  men  of  a  generation  should  cease  to 
lord  it  over  the  men  of  a  century.  But  we  must  be  wary  of 
letting  our  design,  my  dear  sir,  get  wind ;  it  is  a  truly  Dutch 


14  THE    WATER-wtTCH. 

idea,  and  the  profits,  both  pecuniary  and  political,  should  ob 
long  to  the  gentlemen  of  that  descent — My  dear  Van  Bever- 
out—" 

"My  good  lord  !  " 

"  Is  the  blooming  Alida  obedient?  Trust  me,  there  has  n« 
family  event  occurred  during  my  residence  in  the  colony,  in 
which  I  have  taken  a  nearer  interest  than  in  that  desirable 
connection.  The  wooing  of  the  young  Patroon  of  Kinder- 
hook  is  an  affair  of  concern  to  the  province.  It  is  a  meritor 
ious  youth." 

"  With  an  excellent  estate,  my  lord." 

"  And  a  gravity  beyond  his  years." 

"  I  would  give  a  guarantee,  at  a  risk,  that  two-thirds  of  his 
income  go  to  increase  the  capital,  at  the  beginning  of  each 
season." 

"  He  seems  a  man  to  live  on  air  !  " 

"  My  old  friend,  the  last  patroon,  left  noble  assets,"  con 
tinued  the  alderman,  rubbing  his  hands  ;  "  besides  the  ma 
nor." 

"Which  is  no  paddock." 

"  It  reaches  from  the  Hudson  to  the  line  of  Massachusetts. 
A  hundred  thousand  acres  of  hill  and  bottom,  and  well  peo 
pled  by  frugal  Hollanders." 

"Respectable  in  possession,  and  a  mine  of  gold  in  rever 
sion  !  Such  men,  sir,  should  be  cherished.  We  owe  it  to  his 
station  to  admit  him  to  a  share  of  this  our  project  to  undeceive 
the  queen.  How  superior  are  the  claims  of  such  a  gentleman 
to  the  empty  pretensions  of  your  Captain  Ludlow  !  " 

"  He  has  truly  a  very  good  and  improving  estate." 

''  These  Ludlows,  sir,  people  that  fled  the  realm  for  plotting 
against  the  crown,  are  offensive  to  a  loyal  subject.  Indeed, 
too  much  of  this  objection  may  be  imputed  to  many  in  the 
province,  that  come  of  English  blood.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that 
they  are  fomentors  of  discord,  disturbers  of  the  public  mind, 
and  captious  disputants  about  prerogatives  and  vested  rights. 
But  there  is  a  repose  in  the  Dutch  character  which  lends  it  dig 
nity  !  The  descendants  of  the  Hollanders  are  men  to  be 
counted  on ;  where  we  leave  them  to-day  we  see  them  tomor 
row.  As  we  say  in  politics,  sir,  we  know  where  to  find  them. 
Does  it  not  seem  to  you  particularly  offensive  that  this  Cap 
tain  Ludlow  should  command  the  only  royal  cruiser  on  the 
station?" 

"I  should  like  it  better,  my  lord,  were  he  to  serve  in 
Europe,"  returned  the  alderman,  glancing  a  look  behind  him, 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  1$ 

and  lowering  his  voice.  "  There  was  lately  a  rumor  that  his 
ship  was  in  truth  to  be  sent  among  the  islands." 

"Matters  are  getting  very  wrong;  most  worthy,  sir;  and  the 
greater  the  necessity  there  should  be  one  at  court  to  undeceive 
the  queen.  Innovators  should  be  made  to  give  way  to  men 
whose  names  are  historical  in  the  colony." 

"  'Twould  be  no  worse  for  her  majesty's  credit." 

"  'Twould  be  another  jewel  in  her  crown  !  Should  this 
Captain  Ludlow  actually  marry  your  niece,  the  family  would 
altogether  change  its  character — I  have  the  worst  memory — 
thy  mother,  Myndert,  was  a — a — " 

4t  The  pious  woman  was  a  Van  Busser." 

"The  union  of  thy  sister  with  the  Huguenot  then  reduces 
the  fair  Alida  to  the  quality  of  a  half-blood.  The  Ludlow 
connection  would  destroy  the  leaven  of  thy  race  !  I  think  the 
man  is  penniless." 

"I  cannot  say  that,  my  lord,  for  I  would  not  willingly  in 
jure  the  credit  of  my  worst  enemy ;  but,  though  wealthy,  he 
is  far  from  having  the  estate  of  the  young  Patroon  of  Kinder- 
hook." 

"  He  should  indeed  be  sent  into  the  Indies. — Myndert — " 

"  My  lord  !  " 

"  It  would  be  unjust  to  my  sentiments  in  favor  of  Mr.  Oloff 
Van  Staats,  were  we  to  exclude  him  from  the  advantages  o/ 
our  project.  This  much  shall  I  exact  from  your  friendship,  in 
his  favor ;  the  necessary  sum  may  be  divided,  in  moieties,  be 
tween  you  ;  a  common  bond  shall  render  the  affair  compact ; 
and  then,  as  we  shall  be  masters  of  our  own  secret,  there  can 
little  doubt  of  the  prudence  of  our  measures.  The  amount  is 
written  in  this  bit  of  paper." 

"  Two  thousand  pounds,  my  lord  !  " 

"  Pardon  me,  my  dear  sir;  not  a  penny  more  than  one  for 
each  of  you.  Justice  to  Van  Staats  requires  that  you  *^et  him 
into  the  affair.  Were  it  not  for  the  suit  with  your  niece,  1 
should  take  the  young  gentleman  with  me,  to  push  his  fortunes 
at  court." 

"Truly,  my  lord,  this  greatly  exceeds  my  means.  The 
high  prices  of  furs  the  past  season,  and  delays  in  returns,  have 
placed  a  seal  upon  our  silver — " 

"  The  premium  would  be  high." 

"  Coin  is  getting  so  sea-  -e  daily,  that  the  face  of  a  Carolua 
is  almost  as  great  a  strar.0  vi  as  the  face  of  a  debtor — " 

"  The  returns  certain." 

"  While  one's  creditors  meet  him  at  every  corner—*'' 


16  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"  The  concern  would  be  altogether  Dutch." 

"  And  last  advices  from  Holland  tell  us  to  reserve  our  gold 
for  some  extraordinary  movements  in  the  commercial  world.'* 

"  Mr.  Alderman  Myndert  Van  Beverout !  " 

"  My  Lord  Viscount  Cornbury — " 

"  Plutus  preserve  thee,  sir— but  have  a  care  ;  though  I  scent 
the  morning  air,  and  must  return,  it  is  not  forbid  to  tell  the 
secrets  of  my  prison-house.  There  is  one  in  yonder  cage  who 
whispers  that  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  is  on  the  coast !  Be 
wary,  worthy  burgher,  or  the  second  part  of  the  tragedy  of 
Kidd  may  yet  be  enacted  in  these  seas." 

"I  leave  such  transactions  to  my  superiors,"  retorted  the 
alderman,  with  another  stiff  and  ceremonious  bow.  "Enter- 
prizes  that  are  said  to  have  occupied  the  Earl  of  Bellamont, 
Governor  Fletcher,  and  my  Lord  Cornbury,  are  above  the  am 
bition  of  an  humble  merchant." 

"Adieu,  tenacious  sir;  quiet  thine  impatience  for  the  ex 
traordinary  Dutch  movements  !  "  said  Cornbury,  affecting  to 
laugh,  though  he  secretly  felt  the  sting  the  other  had  applied, 
since  common  report  implicated  not  only  him,  but  his  two 
official  predecessors,  in  several  of  the  lawless  proceedings  of  the 
American  buccaneers  ;  "be  vigilant,  or  la  demoiselle  Barberie 
will  give  another  cross  to  the  purity  of  the  stagnant  pool  !  " 

The  bows  that  were  exchanged  were  strictly  in  character. 
The  alderman  was  unmoved,  rigid  and  formal,  while  his  com 
panion  could  not  forget  his  ease  of  manner,  even  at  a  moment 
of  so  much  vexation.  Foiled  in  an  effort  that  nothing  but  his 
desperate  condition,  and  nearly  desperate  character,  could 
have  induced  him  to  attempt,  the  degenerate  descendant  of  the 
virtuous  Clarendon  walked  toward  his  place  of  confinement 
with  the  step  of  one  who  assumed  a  superiority  over  his  fellows, 
and  yet  with  a  mind  so  indurated  by  habitual  depravity,  as  to 
have  left  it  scarcely  the  trace  of  a  dignified  or  virtuous  quality. 


CHAPTER  II. 

•  His  words  are  bonds,  his  oaths  are  oracles ; 
His  love  sincere,  his  thoughts  immaculate." 

Two  GENTLEMEN  OF  VEROHA. 

THE  philosophy   of  Alderman  Van  Beverout  was  not  easily 
disturbed.     Still  there  was  a  play  of  the  nether  muscles  of  the 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  If 

face,  which  might  be  construed  into  self-complacency  at  his 
victory,  while  a  certain  contradiction  of  those  which  controlled 
the  expression  of  the  forehead  seemed  to  betray  a  full  con* 
sciousness  of  the  imminent  risk  he  had  run.  The  left  hand 
was  thrust  into  a  pocket,  where  it  diligently  fingered  the  pro 
vision  of  Spanish  coin  without  which  the  merchant  never  left 
his  abode;  while  the  other  struck  the  cane  it  held  on  the  pave 
ment,  with  the  force  of  a  resolute  and  decided  man.  In  this 
manner  he  proceeded  in  his  walk  for  several  minutes  longer, 
shortly  quitting  the  lower  streets,  to  enter  one  that  ran  along 
the  ridge  which  crowned  the  land  in  that  quarter  of  the  island., 
Here  he  soon  stopped  before  the  door  of  a  house  which,  in 
ihat  provincial  town,  had  altogether  the  air  of  a  patrician 
dwelling. 

Two  false  gables,  each  of  which  was  surmounted  by  an  iron 
weathercock,  intersected  the  roof  of  this  building,  and  the 
high  and  narrow  stoop  was  built  of  the  red  freestone  of  the 
country.  The  material  of  the  edifice  itself  was,  as  usual,  the 
small,  hard  brick  of  Holland,  painted  a  delicate  cream-color. 

A  single  blow  of  the  massive  glittering  knocker  brought  a- 
servant  to  the  door.  The  promptitude  with  which  this  sum 
mons  was  answered  showed  that,  notwithstanding  the  early 
hour,  the  alderman  was  an  expected  guest.  The  countenance 
of  him  who  acted  as  porter  betrayed  no  surprise  when  he  saw 
the  person  who  applied  for  admission,  and  every  movement  ol 
the  black  denoted  preparation  and  readiness  for  his  reception.. 
Declining  his  invitation  to  enter,  however,  the  alderman  placed 
his  back  against  the  iron  railing  of  the  stoop,  and  opened  a 
discourse  with  the  negro.  The  latter  was  aged,  with  a  grizzled 
head,  a  nose  that  was  levelled  nearly  to  the  plane  of  his  face, 
features  that  were  wrinkled  and  confused,  and  with  a  forn& 
which,  though  still  solid,  was  bending  with  its  load  of  years. 

"  Brave  cheer  to  thee,  old  Cupid  !  "  commenced  the 
burgher,  in  the  hearty  and  cordial  manner  with  which  the 
masters  of  that  period  were  wont  to  address  their  indulged 
slaves.  "  A  clear  conscience  is  a  good  nightcap,  and  you  look 
bright  as  the  morning  sun  !  I  hope  my  friend  the  young 
patroon  has  slept  sound  as  yourself,  and  that  he  has  shown  his 
face  already  to  prove  it." 

The  negro  answered  with  the  slow,  clipping  manner  that: 
characterized  his  condition  and  years. 

•"  He'm  werry  wakeful,  Masser  Al'erman.  I  t'mk  he  nc* 
skep  half  he  time  lately.  All  he  a'tiverty  and  wiwacerty  gone, 
an*  he  do  no  single  t'ing  but  smoke.  A  gentle'um  who  smoke 
3 


18  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

alway,  Masser  Arerman,  get  to  be  a  melercholy  man  at  last.  I 
do  t'ink  'ere  be  one  young  lady  in  York  who  be  he  deat'  some 
time  !  " 

"  We'll  find  the  means  to  get  the  pipe  out  of  his  mouth," 
said  the  other,  looking  askance  at  the  black,  as  if  to  express 
more  than  he  uttered.  "  Romance  and  pretty  girls  play  the 
deuse  with  our  philosophy  in  youth,  as  thou  knowest  by  ex 
perience,  old  Cupid." 

"  I  no  good  for  any  t'ing  dat-a-way  now,  not'ing,"  calmly 
returned  the  black.  "  I  see  a  one  time,  when  few  color'  men 
in  York  hab  more  respect  among  a  fair  sec1,  but  dat  a  great 
while  gone  by.  Now  de  modder  of  your  Euclid,  Masser 
Arerman,  war'  a  pretty  woman,  do'  she  hab  but  poor  conduc*. 
Den  a  war'  young  herself,  and  I  use  to  visit  at  de  al'erman's 
fadder's ;  afore  a  English  come,  and  when  ole  patroon  war'  a 
young  man.  Golly  !  I  great  affection  for  Euclid,  do'  a  young 
dog  nebber  come  a  near  me  !  " 

'  •  He's  a  blackguard  !  My  back  is  no  sooner  turned  than 
the  rascal's  atop  of  one  of  his  master's  geldings." 

"  He'm  werry  young,  Master  Myn'ert ;  no  one  get  wis'om 
'fore  a  gray  hair." 

' '  He's  forty,  every  minute  ;  and  the  rogue  gets  impudence 
with  his  years.  Age  is  a  reverend  and  respectable  condition, 
when  it  brings  gravity  and  thought ;  but,  if  a  young  fool  be 
tiresome,  an  old  fool  is  contemptible.  I'll  warrant  me,  you 
never  were  so  thoughtless,  or  so  heartless,  Cupid,  as  to  ride  an 
overworked  beast  at  night." 

"  Well,  I  get  pretty  ole'  Masser  Myn'ert,  an'  I  forget  all  he 
do  when  a  young  man.  But  here  be  'e  patroon,  who  know 
how  to  tell  'e  al'erman  such  t'ing  better  than  a  poor  color' 
slave." 

"  A  fair  rising  and  a  lucky  day  to  you,  patroon,"  cried  the 
alderman,  saluting  a  large,  slow-moving,  gentlemanly-looking 
young  man  of  five-and-twenty,  who  advanced,  with  the  grav 
ity  of  one  of  twice  that  number  of  years,  from  the  interior  of 
the  house  toward  its  outer  door.  "  The  winds  are  bespoken, 
and  here  is  as  fine  a  day  as  ever  shone  out  of  a  clear  sky, 
whether  it  came  from  the  pure  atmosphere  of  Holland,  or  of 
Old  England  itself.  Colonies  and  patronage  !  If  the  people 
on  the  other  side  of  the  ocean  had  more  faith  in  Mother 
Nature,  and  less  opinion  of  themselves,  they  would  find  it  very 
tolerable  breathing  in  the  plantations.  But  the  conceited 
rogues  are  like  the  man  who  blew  the  bellows,  and  fancied  he 
uiade  the  music ;  and  there  is  never  a  hobbling  imp  of  them 


THE    WATER.WITCH*  19 

all,  but  he  believes  he  is  straighter  and  sounder  than  the  best 
in  the  colonies.  Here  is  our  bay,  now,  as  smooth  as  if  it  were 
shut  in  with  twenty  dikes,  and  the  voyage  will  be  as  safe  as  if 
it  were  made  on  a  canal." 

"  Dat  werry  well,  if  'a  do  it,"  grumbled  Cupid,  who  busied 
himself  affectionately  about  the  person  of  his  master ;  "I 
t'ink  it  alway  better  to  gravel  on  'e  land,  when  a  getitle'um 
own  so  much  as  Massa  Oloff.  Der*  war'  'e  time  a  ferry-boat 
go  down,  wid  crowd  of  people ;  and  nobody  eber  come  up 
again  to  say  how  he  feel." 

"  Here  is  some  mistake,"  interrupted  the  alderman,  throw 
ing  an  uneasy  glance  at  his  young  friend.  "  I  count  four-and- 
fifty  years,  and  remember  no  such  calamity." 

"  He'm  werry  sing'lar  how  a  young  fo'k  do  forget  !  'Ere 
war*  drown  six  people  in  dat  werry  boat.  A  two  Yankee,  a 
Canada  Frenchman,  and  a  poor  woman  from  a  Jarseys.  Ebery- 
body  war'  werry  sorry  for  a  poor  woman  from  a  Jerseys  !  " 

"  Thy  tally  is  false,  Master  Cupid,"  promptly  rejoined  the 
alderman,  who  was  rather  expert  at  figures.  "  Two  Yankees, 
a  Frenchman,  and  your  Jersey  woman,  make  but  four." 

"  Well,  den,  I  s'pose  'ere  war*  one  Yankee ;  but  I  know  all 
war'  drown,  for  'e  gubenor  lose  he  fine  coach-horses  in  dat 
werry  boat." 

"  The  old  fellow  is  right,  sure  enough  ;  for  I  remember  the 
calamity  of  the  horses,  as  if  it  were  but  yesterday.  But  Death 
is  monarch  of  the  earth,  and  none  of  us  may  hope  to  escape 
his  scythe  when  the  appointed  hour  shall  come  !  Here  are  no 
nags  to  lose  to-day;  and  we  may  commence  our  voyage, 
patroon,  with  cheerful  faces  and  light  hearts.  Shall  we 
proceed  ?  " 

Oloff  Van  Staats,  or  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook,  as  by  the 
courtesy  of  the  colony  he  was  commonly  termed,  did  not  want 
for  personal  firmness.  On  the  contrary,  like  most  of  those 
who  were  descended  from  the  Hollanders,  he  was  rather  dis 
tinguished  for  steadiness  in  danger  and  obstinacy  in  resistance. 
The  little  skirmish  which  had  just  taken  place  between  his 
friend  and  his  slave,  had  proceeded  from  their  several  appre 
hensions  ;  the  one  feeling  a  sort  of  parental  interest  in  his 
safety,  and  the  other  having  particular  reasons  for  wishing  him 
to  persevere  in  his  intention  to  embark,  instead  of  any  justi 
fiable  cause  in  the  character  of  the  young  proprietor  himself. 
A  sign  to  the  boy  who  bore  his  portmanteau,  settled  the  con- 
y ;  when  Mr.  Van  Staats  intimated  his  readiness  to  move. 

Cupid  lingered  on  the  stoop  until  his  master  had  turned  « 


20  Th**    WATER-WITCH, 

corner ;  then,  shaking  his  head  with  all  the  misgivings  of  at 
ignorant  and  superstitious  mind,  he  drove  the  young  fry  of 
blacks,  who  thronged  the  door/  into  the  house,  closing  aH 
after  him  with  scrupulous  care.  How  far  the  presentiment  of 
the  black  was  warranted  by  the  event,  will  be  seen  in  the  course 
of  the  narrative. 

The  wide  avenue  in  which  Oloff  ^ran  Staats  dwelt  was  but  a 
few  hundred  yards  in  length.  It  terminated,  at  one  end,  with 
the  fortress,  and  at  the  other  it  was  crossed  by  a  high  stock 
ade,  which  bore  the  name  of  the  city  walls ;  a  defence  that 
was  provided  against  any  sudden  irruption  of  the  Indians,  who 
then  hunted,  and  even  dwelt,  in  some  numbers,  in  the  lower 
counties  of  the  colony. 

It  requires  great  familiarity  with  the  growth  of  the  town  to 
recognize,  in  this  description,  the  noble  street  that  now  runs 
for  a  league  through  the  centre  of  the  island.  From  this  ave 
nue,  which  was  then,  as  it  is  still,  called  the  Broadway,  our 
adventurers  descended  into  a  lower  quarter  of  the  town,  hold 
ing  free  converse  by  the  way. 

"  That  Cupid  is  a  negro  to  keep  the  roof  on  a  house,  in  its 
master's  absence,  patroon,"  observed  the  alderman,  soon  after 
they  had  left  the  stoop.  "  He  looks  like  a  padlock  ;  and  one 
anight  sleep  without  a  dream,  with  such  a  guardian  near  his 
•dwelling.  I  wish  I  had  brought  the  honest  fellow  the  key  of 
my  stable." 

'*  I  have  heard  my  father  say  that  the  keys  of  his  own  were 
always  better  near  his  own  pillow,"  coolly  returned  the  pro 
prietor  of  a  hundred  thousand  acres. 

"  Ah,  the  curse  of  Cain  !  It  is  needless  to  look  for  the  fur 
of  a  marten  on  the  back  of  a  cat.  But,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  while 
walking  to  your  door  this  morning,  it  was  my  fortune  to  meet 
the  late  governor,  who  is  permitted  by  his  creditors  to  take  the 
air  at  an  hour  when  he  thinks  the  eyes  of  the  impertinent  will 
be  shut.  I  believe,  patroon,  you  were  so  lucky  as  to  get  back 
your  moneys  before  the  royal  displeasure  visited  the  man  ?  " 

"  I  was  so  lucky  as  never  to  trust  him." 

*'*  That  was  better  still,  for  it  would  have  been  a  barren  in 
vestment — great  jeopardy  to  principal,  and  no  return.  But  we 
had  discourse  of  various  interests ;  and,  among  others,  some 
thing  was  hazarded  concerning  your  amatory  pretensions  to  my 
niece." 

"  Neither  the  wishes  of  Oloff  Van  Staats,  nor  the  inclina 
tions  of  la  belle  Barberie,  are  a  subject  for  the  governor  in 
council,"  said  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook,  stiffly. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  21 

< '« Nor  was  it  thus  treated.  The  viscount  spoke  me  fair,  and,, 
had  he  not  pushed  the  matter  beyond  discretion,  we  might 
have  come  to  happier  conclusions." 

"  I  am  glad  that  there  was  some  restraint  in  the  discourse.** 

"  The  man  certainly  exceeded  reason,  for  he  led  the  con 
ference  into  personalities  that  no  prudent  man  could  relish. 
Still,  he  said  it  was  possible  that  the  Coquette  might  yet  be 
ordered  for  service  among  the  islands." 

It  has  been  said  that  Oloff  Van  Staats  was  a  fair,  personable 
young  man  of  vast  stature,  and  with  much  of  the  air  of  a  gen 
tleman  of  his  country ;  for,  though  a  British  subject,  he  was 
rather  a  Hollander  in  feelings,  habits,  and  opinions.  He  col 
ored  at  the  allusion  to  the  presence  of  his  known  rival,  though, 
his  companion  was  at  a  loss  to  discover  whether  pride  or  vexa 
tion  was  at  the  bottom  of  his  emotion. 

"  If  Captain  Ludlow  prefer  a  cruise  in  the  Indies  to  duty  OB 
this  coast,  I  hope  he  may  obtain  his  wish,"  was  the  cautious 
answer. 

"  Your  liberal  man  enjoys  a  sounding  name,  and  an  emptyr 
coffer,/'  observed  the  alderman,  dryly.  "  To  me  it  seems  that 
a  petition  to  the  admiral  to  send  so  meritorious  an  officer  OK 
service  where  he  may  distinguish  himself,  should  deserve  his 
thanks.  The  freebooters  are  playing  the  devil's  game  with  the 
sugar-trade,  and  even  the  French  are  getting  troublesome,  far 
ther  south." 

"  He  has  certainly  the  reputation  of  an  active  cruiser." 

"Lixum  and  philosophy!  If  you  wish  to  succeed  with1 
Alida,  patroon,  you  must  put  more  briskness  into  the  adven 
ture.  The  girl  has  a  cross  of  the  Frenchman  in  her  temper, 
and  none  of  your  deliberations  and  taciturnities  will  gain  the 
day.  This  visit  to  the  Lust  in  Rust  is  Cupid's  own  handi 
work,  and  I  hope  to  see  you  both  return  to  town  as  amicable 
as  the  stadtholder  and  the  States-General,  after  a  sharp  strug 
gle  for  the  year's  subsidy  has  been  settled  by  a  compro 
mise." 

"  The  success  of  this  suit  is  the  affair  nearest  my — "  The 
young  man  paused  as  if  surprised  at  his  own  communicative 
ness  ;  and,  taking  advantage  of  the  haste  in  which  his  toilet 
had  been  made,  he  thrust  a  hand  into  his  vest,  covering  with 
its  broad  palm  a  portion  of  the  human  frame  which  poets  do 
not  describe  as  the  seat  of  the  passions. 

"  If  you  mean  stomach,  sir,  you  will  not  have  reason  to  b£ 
disappointed,"  retorted  the  alderman,  a  little  more  severely 
than  was  usual  with  one  so  cautious.  '«  The  heiress  of  Mynder^ 


22  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Vat.  beverout  will  not  be  a  penniless  bride,  and  Monsieut 
Barberie  did  not  close  the  books  of  life  without  taking  good 
care  of  the  balance-sheet — but  yonder  are  those  devils  of  fer 
rymen  quitting  the  wharf  without  us  ! — Scamper  ahead,  Bru 
tus,  and  tell  them  to  wait  the  legal  minute.  The  rogues  are 
never  exact ;  sometimes  starting  before  I  am  ready,  and  some 
times  keeping  me  waiting  in  the  sun,  as  if  I  were  no  better 
than  a  dried  sunfish.  Punctuality  is  the  soul  of  business,  and 
one  of  my  habits  does  not  like  to  be  ahead  nor  behind  his 
time." 

In  this  manner  the  worthy  burgher,  who  would  have  been 
glad  to  regulate  the  movements  of  others,  on  all  occasions,  a 
good  deal  by  his  own,  vented  his  complaints,  while  he  and  his 
companion  hurried  on  to  overtake  the  slow-moving  boat  in 
which  they  were  to  embark.  A  brief  description  of  the  scene 
will  not  be  without  interest  to  a  generation  that  may  be  termed 
modern  in  reference  to  the  time  in  which  we  write. 

A  deep,  narrow  creek  penetrated  the  island,  at  this  point, 
for  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  Each  of  its  banks  had 
a  row  of  buildings,  as  the  houses  line  a  canal  in  the  cities  of 
Holland.  As  the  natural  course  of  the  inlet  was  necessarily 
respected,  the  street  had  taken  a  curvature  not  unlike  that  of  a 
new  moon.  The  houses  were  ultra-Dutch,  being  low,  angu 
lar,  fastidiously  neat,  and  all  erected  with  their  gables  to  the 
street.  Each  had  its  ugly  and  inconvenient  entrance,  termed 
a  stoop,  its  vane  or  weather-cock,  its  dormer-windows,  and  its 
graduated  battlement-walls.  Near  the  apex  of  one  of  the  lat 
ter  a  little  iron  crane  projected  into  the  street.  A  small  boat 
of  the  same  metal  swung  from  its  end — a  sign  that  the  build 
ing  to  which  it  was  appended  was  the  ferry-house. 

An  inherent  love  of  artificial  and  confined  navigation  had 
probably  induced  the  burghers  to  select  this  spot  as  the  place 
whence  so  many  craft  departed  from  the  town ;  since  it  is  cer 
tain  that  .the  two  rivers  could  have  furnished  divers  points 
more  favorable  for  such  an  object,  inasmuch  as  they  possess 
the  advantage  of  wide  and  unobstructed  channels. 

Fifty  blacks  were  already  in  the  street,  dipping  their  brooms 
into  the  creek,  and  flourishing  water  over  the  sidewalks,  and 
on  the  fronts  of  the  low  edifices.  This  light  but  daily  duty 
was  relieved  by  clamorous  collisions  of  wit,  and  by  shouts  of 
merriment,  in  which  the  whole  street  would  join,  as  with  one 
joyous  and  reckless  movement  of  the  spirit. 

The  language  of  this  light-hearted  and  noisy  race  was  Dutch, 
akeady  corrupted  by  English  idioms,  and  occasionally  by  En« 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  J| 

glisb  words— a  system  of  change  that  has  probably  given  rise 
to  an  opinion,  among  some  of  the  descendants  of  the  earlier 
colonists  that  the  latter  tongue  is  merely  a  patois  of  the  for 
mer.  This  opinion,  which  so  much  resembles  that  certain 
well-read  English  scholars  entertained,  of  the  plagiarisms  of 
the  Continental  writers,  when  they  first  began  to  dip  into  their 
works,  is  not  strictly  true ;  since  the  language  of  England  has 
probably  bestowed  as  much  on  the  dialect  of  which  we  speak, 
as  it  has  ever  received  from  the  purer  sources  of  the  school  of 
Holland.  Here  and  there  a  grave  burgher,  still  in  his  night 
cap,  might  be  seen  with  a  head  thrust  out  of  an  upper  win 
dow,  listening  to  these  barbarisms  of  speech,  and  taking  note 
of  all  the  merry  jibes  that  flew  from  mouth  to  mouth  with  an 
indomitable  gravity  that  no  levity  of  those  beneath  could  un 
dermine. 

As  the  movement  of  the  ferry-boat  was  necessarily  slow,  the 
alderman  and  his  companion  were  enabled  to  step  into  it  be 
fore  the  fasts  were  thrown  aboard.  The  periagua,  as  the  craft 
was  called,  partook  of  a  European  and  an  American  character. 
It  possessed  the  length,  narrowness,  and  clean  bow  of  the 
canoe,  from  which  its  name  was  derived,  with  the  flat  bottom 
and  lee-boards  of  a  boat  constructed  for  the  shallow  waters  of 
the  Low  Countries.  Twenty  years  ago  vessels  of  this  descrip 
tion  abounded  in  our  rivers,  and  even  now  their  two  long  and 
unsupported  masts,  and  high,  narrow-headed  sails  are  daily 
seen  bending  like  reeds  to  the  breeze,  and  dancing  lightly 
over  the  billows  of  the  bay.  There  is  a  variety  of  the  class,  of 
a  size  and  pretension  altogether  superior  to  that  just  men 
tioned,  which  deserves  a  place  among  the  most  picturesque 
and  striking  boats  that  float.  He  who  has  had  occasion  to 
navigate  the  southern  shore  of  the  sound  must  have  often  seen 
the  vessel  to  which  we  allude.  It  is  distinguished  by  its  great 
length,  and  masts  which,  naked  of  cordage,  rise  from  the  hull 
like  two  tall  and  faultless  trees.  When  the  eye  runs  ove.  she 
daring  height  of  canvas,  the  noble  confidence  of  the  rig,  and 
sees  the  comparatively  vast  machine  handled  with  ease  and 
grace  by  the  dexterity  of  two  fearless  and  expert  mariners,  it 
excites  some  such  admiration  as  that  which  springs  from  the 
view  of  a  severe  temple  of  antiquity.  The  nakedness  and 
simplicity  of  the  construction,  coupled  with  the  boldress  and 
rapidity  of  its  movements,  impart  to  the  craft  an  air  of  gran 
deur  that  its  ordinary  uses  would  not  give  reason  to  expect. 

Though,  in  some  respects,  of  singularly  aquatic  habits,  the 
original  colonists  of  New  York  were  far  more  adventurous,  as 


24  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

mariners,  than  their  present  descendants.  A  passage  across 
the  bay  did  not  often  occur  in  the  tranquil  lives  of  the  burgh- 
«HS;  and  it  is  still  within  the  memory  of  man,  that  a  voyage 
between  the  two  principal  towns  of  the  State  was  an  event  to 
excite  the  solicitude  of  friends,  and  the  anxiety  of  the  travel 
ler.  The  perils  of  the  Tappaan  Zee,  as  one  of  the  wider 
reaches  of  the  Hudson  is  still  termed,  was  often  dealt  with  by 
the  good  wives  of  the  colony,  in  their  relations  of  marvels ; 
and  she  who  had  oftenest  encountered  them  unharmed,  was 
deemed  a  sort  of  marine  amazon* 


CHAPTER  in. 

«"  I  have  great  comfort  from  this  fellow ;  methinks  he  hath  no  drowning 
jnark  upon  him ;  his  complexion  is  perfect  gallows." 

TEMPEST. 

IT  has  been  said  that  the  periagua  was  in  motion  before  our 
two  adventurers  succeeded  in  stepping  on  board.  The  arrival 
of  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook,  and  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout 
was  expected,  and  the  schipper  had  taken  his  departure  at  the 
'-precise  moment  of  the  turn  in  the  current,  in  order  to  show, 
'With  a  sort  of  pretending  independence  which  has  a  peculiar 
.charm  for  men  in  his  situation,  that  ".time  and  tide  wait  for 
no  man."  Still  there  were  limits  to  his  decision  ;  for,  while 
he  put  the  boat  in  motion,  especial  care  was  taken  that  the  cir 
cumstance  should  not  subject  a  customer  so  important  and  con 
stant  as  the  alderman,  to  any  serious  inconvenience.  When 
.lie  and  his  friend  had  embarked,  the  painters  were  thrown 
-aboard,  and  the  crew  of  the  ferry-boat  began  to  set  their  ves 
sel,  in  earnest,  toward  the  vnouth  of  the  creek.  During  these 
movements,  a  young  negro  was  seated  in  the  bow  of  the  peria 
gua,  with  his  legs  dangling,  one  on  each  side  of  the  cut-water, 
forming  no  bad  apology  for  a  figure-head.  He  held  a  conch 
to  his  mouth,  and  with  his  two  glossy  cheeks  inflated  like  those 
iQi  Eoius,  and  his  dark,  glittering  eyes  expressing  the  delight 
lie  found  in  drawing  sounds  from  the  shell,  he  continued  to 
give  forth  the  signal  for  departure. 

"Put  up  the  conch,  thou  bawler  !  "  cried  the  alderman, 
giving  the  yonker  a  rap  on  his  naked  poll,  in  passing,  with  the 
end  of  his  cane,  that  might  have  disturbed  the  harmony  of  one 
less  bent  on  clamor.  ' '  A  thousand  windy  trumpeters  would 
&e  silence  itself,  compared  to  such  a  oair  of  lungs  ! — How  now, 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  2$ 

Master  Schipper,  is  this  your  punctuality,  to  start  before  your 
passengers  are  ready  ?  " 

The  undisturbed  boatman,  without  removing  the  pipe  from 
his  mouth,  pointed  to  the  bubbles  on  the  water  which  were 
already  floating  outward,  a  certain  evidence  that  the  tide  was 
on  the  ebb. 

"  I  care  nothing  for  your  ins  and  outs,  your  ebbs  and  floods/ 
returned  the  alderman,  in  heat.  "  There  is  no  better  time- 
piece  than  the  leg  and  eye  of  a  punctual  man.  It  is  no  more 
pleasant  to  go  before  one  is  ready,  than  to  tarry  when  all  busi 
ness  is  done.  Harkee,  Master  Schipper,  you  are  not  the  only 
navigator  in  this  bay,  nor  is  your  craft  the  swiftest  that  was 
ever  launched.  Have  a  care  ;  thpugh  an  acquiescing  man  by 
nature,  I  know  how  to  encourage  an  opposition,  when  the  pub 
lic  good  seriously  calls  for  my  support." 

To  the  attack  on  himself,  the  schipper  was  stoically  indif 
ferent  ;  but  to  impeach  the  qualities  of  the  periagua  was  to 
attack  one  who  depended  solely  on  his  eloquence  for  vindication. 
Removing  his  pipe,  therefore,  he  rejoined  on  the  alderman, 
with  that  sort  of  freedom  that  the  sturdy  Hollanders  never 
failed  to  use  to  all  offenders,  regardless  alike  of  rank  or  per 
sonal  qualities. 

"  Der  windgall  and  alderman,"  he  growled,  in  the  dialect 
or  the  country;  "  I  should  be  glad  to  see  the  boat  in  York  Bay 
that  can  show  the  Milkmaid  her  stern  !  The  mayor  and 
councilmen  had  better  order  the  tide  to  turn  when  they  please  ; 
and  then,  as  each  man  will  think  of  his  own  pleasure,  a  pretty 
set  of  whirlpools  they  will  give  us  in  the  harbor  !  " 

The  schipper,  having  delivered  himself  of  his  sentiments  to 
this  effect,  resumed  his  pipe,  like  a  man  who  felt  he  deserved 
the  meed  of  victory,  whether  he  were  to  receive  it  or  not. 

"It  is  useless  to  dispute  with  an  obstinate  man,"  muttered 
the  alderman,  making  his  way  through  vegetable-baskets,  but 
ter-tubs,  and  all  the  garniture  of  a  market-boat,  to  the  place 
occupied  by  his  niece,  in  the  stern-sheets.  "  Good-morrow  to 
thee,  Alida  dear;  early  rising  will  make  a  flower-garden  of 
thy  cheeks,  and  the  fresh  air  of  the  Lust  in  Rust  will  give  even 
thy  i-oses  a  deeper  bloom." 

The  mollified  burgher  then  saluted  the  cheek  whose  bloom 
had  been  deepened  by  his  remark,  with  a  warmth  that  showed 
he  was  not  without  natural  affection ;  touched  his  hat,  in  re 
turn  for  a  low  bow  that  he  received  from  an  aged  white  man- 
in  a  clean  but  ancient  livery ;  and  nodded  to  a  young 


26  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

negress,  whose  second-hand  finery  sufficiently  showed  she  wai 
a  personal  attendant  of  the  heiress. 

A  second  glance  at  Alida  de  Barberie  was  scarcely  necessary 
to  betray  her  mixed  descent.  From  her  Norman  father,  a 
Huguenot  of  the  petite  noblesse,  she  had  inherited  her  raven 
hair,  the  large,  brillant,  coal-black  eyes,  in  which  wildness  was 
singularly  relieved  by  sweetness,  a  classical  and  faultless  pro 
file,  and  a  form  which  was  both  taller  and  more  flexible  than 
commonly  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  damsels  of  Holland.  From  her 
mother,  la  belle  Barberie,  as  the  maiden  was  often  playfully 
termed,  had  received  a  skin  fair  and  spotless  as  the  flower  of 
France,  and  a  bloom  which  rivalled  the  rich  tints  of  an  even 
ing  sky  in  her  native  land.  Some  of  the  embonpoint,  for  which 
the  sister  of  the  alderman  was  a  little  remarkable,  had  de 
scended  also  to  her  fairer  daughter.  In  Alida,  however,  this 
peculiarity  did  not  exceed  the  fulness  which  became  her  years, 
rounding  her  person  and  softening  the  outlines  of  her  form, 
rather  than  diminishing  its  ease  and  grace.  These  personal 
advantages  were  embellished  by  a  neat  but  modest  traveling- 
habit,  a  little  beaver  that  was  shaded  by  a  cluster  of  drooping 
feathers,  and  a  mien  that,  under  the  embarrassment  of  her 
situation,  preserved  the  happiest  medium  between  modesty  and 
perfect  self-possession. 

When  Alderman  Van  Beverout  joined  this  fair  creature,  in 
whose  future  happiness  he  was  fully  justified  in  taking  the  deep 
interest  which  he  has  betrayed  in  some  of  the  opening  scenes 
of  this  volume,  he  found  her  engaged  in  a  courteous  discourse 
with  the  young  man,  who  was  generally  considered  as  the  one, 
among  the  numerous  pretenders  to  her  favor,  who  was  most 
likely  to  succeed.  Had  other  cause  been  wanting,  this  sight 
alone  would  have  been  sufficient  to  restore  his  good-humor  ; 
and,  making  a  place  for  himself,  by  quietly  dispossessing  Fran 
cois,  the  domestic  of  his  niece,  the  persevering  burgher  en 
deavored  to  encourage  an  intercourse  that  he  had  reason  to 
think  must  terminate  in  the  result  he  both  meditated  and  de 
sired. 

In  the  present  effort,  however,  the  alderman  failed.  There 
is  a  feeling  which  universally  pervades  landsmen  and  lands- 
women,  when  they  first  embark  on  an  element  to  which  they 
are  strangers,  that  ordinarily  shuts  their  mouths  and  renders 
them  meditative.  In  the  older  and  more  observant  travelers, 
it  is  observation  and  comparison  ;  while  with  the  younger  and 
more  susceptible,  it  is  very  apt  to  take  the  character  of  senti 
ment.  Without  stopping  *o  analyze  the  cause  or  the  conse 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2f 

quences,  in  the  instance  of  the  patroon  and  la  belle  Barberie 
it  will  be  sufficient  to  state  that,  in  spite  of  all  the  efforts  of  the 
worthy  burgher,  who  had  navigated  the  sluggish  creek  too 
often  to  be  the  subject  of  any  new  emotions,  his  youthful  com 
pardons  gradually  grew  silent  and  thoughtful.  Though  a  celi 
bate  in  his  own  person,  Myndert  had  not  now  to  learn  that  the 
infant  god  as  often  does  his  mischief  through  this  quiet  agency 
as  in  ajiy  other  manner.  He  became,  therefore,  mute  in  his 
turn,  watching  the  slow  movement  of  the  periagua  with  as  much 
assiduity  as  if  he  saw  his  own  image  on  the  water. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  of  this  characteristic,  and  it  is  to  be 
inferred  agreeable  navigation,  brought  the  boat  to  the  mouth 
of  the  inlet  Here  a  powerful  effort  forced  her  into  the  tide's- 
way,  and  she  might  be  said  to  put  forth  on  her  voyage.  But 
while  the  black  crew  were  trimming  the  sails,  and  making  the 
other  necessary  preparations  for  departure,  a  voice  was  heard 
hailing  them  from  the  shore,  with  an  order  rather  than  a  re 
quest,  that  they  would  stay  their  movements. 

"  Hilloa,  the  periagua  !  "  it  cried.  "  Haul  over  your  head- 
sheet,  and  jam  the  tiller  down  into  the  lap  of  that  comfort 
able-looking  old  gentleman.  Come ;  bear  a  hand,  my  hum 
mers  !  or  your  race-horse  of  a  craft  will  get  the  bit  into  its 
mouth,  and  run  away  with  you." 

This  summons  produced  a  pause  in  the  movements  of  the 
crew.  After  regarding  each  other,  in  surprise  and  admiration, 
the  waterman  drew  the  head-sheel  over,  put  the  helm  a-lee, 
without  however  invading  the  lap  of  the  alderman,  and  the 
boat  became  stationary,  at  the  distance  of  a  few  rods  from  the 
shore.  While  the  new  passenger  was  preparing  to  come  off  in 
a  yawl,  those  who  awaited  his  movements  had  leisure  to  ex 
amine  his  appearance,  and  to  form  their  different  surmises  con 
cerning  his  character. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  the  stranger  was  a  son  of 
the  ocean.  He  was  of  a  firmly  knit  and  active  frame,  stand 
ing  exactly  six  feet  in  his  stockings.  The  shoulders,  though 
square,  were  compact,  the  chest  full  and  high,  the  limbs  round, 
neat,  and  muscular — the  whole  indicating  a  form  in  which 
strength  and  activity  were  apportioned  with  the  greatest  ac 
curacy.  A  small  bullet  head  was  set  firmly  on  its  broad  foun 
dation  and  it  was  thickly  covered  with  a  mass  of  brown  hair 
that  was  already  a  little  grizzled.  The  face  was  that  of  a  man 
of  thirty,  and  it  was  Tvcr*h\  ?f  the  frame,  being  manly,  bold, 
decided,  and  rather  handsome,  chough  it  expressed  little  more 
than  high  daring,  perfect  coolness,  some  obstinacy,  and  a  cer* 


18  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

x 

lain  degree  of  contempt  for  others,  that  its  owner  did  net 
always  take  the  trouble  to  conceal.  The  color  was  a  rich, 
deep,  and  uniform  red,  such  as  much  exposure  is  apt  to  give 
to  men  whose  complexions  are  by  nature  light  and  florid. 

The  dress  of  the  stranger  was  quite  as  remarkable  as  his 
person.  He  wore  a  short  pea-jacket,  cut  tight  and  tastefully ; 
a  little,  low,  and  rakish  cap,  and  full  bell-mouthed  trousers,  all 
in  a  spotlessly  white  duck ;  a  material  well  adapted  to  the  sea 
son  and  the  climate.  The  first  was  made  without  buttons, 
affording  an  apology  for  the  use  of  a  rich  India  shawl,  thai 
belted  his  body  and  kept  the  garment  tight  to  his  frame. 
Faultlessly  clean  linen  appeared  through  the  opening  above, 
and  a  collar  of  the  same  material  fell  over  the  gay 'bandanna, 
which  was  thrown,  with  a  single  careless  turn,  around  his 
throat.  The  latter  was  a  manufacture  then  little  known  in 
Europe,  and  its  use  was  almost  entirely  confined  to  seamen  of 
the  long  voyage.  One  of  its  ends  was  suffered  to  blow  about 
in  the  wind,  but  the  other  was  brought  down  with  care  over 
the  chest,  where  it  was  confined,  by  springing  the  blade  of  a 
small  knife  with  an  ivory  handle,  in  a  manner  to  confine  the  silk 
to  the  linen  ;  a  sort  of  breast-pin  that  is  even  now  much  used 
by  mariners.  If  we  add  that  light  canvas  slippers,  with  foul- 
anchors  worked  in  worsted  upon  their  insteps,  covered  his  feet, 
we  shall  say  all  that  is  necessary  of  his  attire. 

The  appearance  of  one,  of  the  air  and  dress  we  have  just 
described,  excited  a  strong  sensation  among  the  blacks  who 
scrubbed  the  stoops  and  pavements.  He  was  closely  attended 
to  the  place  where  he  hailed  the  periagua,  by  four  or  five 
loungers,  who  studied  his  manner  and  movements  with  the  ad 
miration  that  men  of  their  class  seldom  fail  to  bestow  on  those 
who  bear  about  them  the  evidence  of  having  passed  lives  of 
adventure,  and  perhaps  of  hardship  and  daring.  Beckoning 
to  one  of  these  idlers  to  follow  him,  the  hero  of  the  India 
shawl  stepped  into  an  empty  boat,  and  casting  loose  its  fast,  he 
sculled  the  light  yawl  toward  the  craft  which  was  awaiting  his 
arrival.  There  was,  in  truth,  something  in  the  reckless  air, 
the  decision,  and  the  manly  attitudes  of  so  fine  a  specimen  of 
a  seaman,  that  might  have  attracted  notice  from  those  who 
were  more  practised  in  the  world  than  the  little  crowd  of  ad 
mirers  he  left  behind  him.  With  an  easy  play  of  wrist  and 
elbow,  he  caused  the  yawl  to  glide  ahead  like  some  indolent 
marine  animal  swimming  through  its  element,  and  as  he  stood, 
firm  as  a  planted  statue,  with  a  foot  on  each  gunwale,  there 
Was  much  of  that  confidence  created  by  his  steadiness,  that 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  2$ 

one  acquires  by  viewing  the  repeated  and  successful  efforts  of 
a  skilful  rope-dancer.  When  the  yawl  reached  the  side  of  the 
periagua,  he  dropped  a  small  Spanish  coin  into  the  open  palm 
of  the  negro,  and  sprang  on  the  side  of  the  latter,  with  an  ex 
ertion  of  muscle  that  sent  the  little  boat  he  quitted  half-way 
back  toward  the  shore,  leaving  the  frightened  black  to  steady 
himself  in  his  rocking  tenement,  in  the  best  manner  he  could. 

The  tread  and  posture  of  the  stranger,  when  he  gained  the 
the  half-deck  of  the  periagua,  were  finely  nautical,  and  confi 
dent  to  audacity.  He  seemed  to  analyze  the  half-maritine 
character  of  the  crew  and  passengers  at  a  glance,  and  to  feel 
that  sort  of  superiority  over  his  companions  which  men  of  his 
profession  were  then  a  little  too  wont  to  entertain  toward  those 
whose  ambition  could  be  bounded  by  terra  firma.  His  eye 
turned  upward  at  the  simple  rig  and  modest  sails  of  the 
periagua,  while  his  upper  lip  curled  with  the  knowing  expres 
sion  of  a  critic.  Then  kicking  the  fore-sheet  clear  of  its  elect, 
arid  suffering  the  sail  to  fill,  he  stepped  from  one  butter-tub  to 
another,  making  a  stepping-stone  of  the  lap  of  a  countryman 
by  the  way,  and  alighted  in  the  stern -sheets,  in  the  midst  of 
the  party  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  with  the  agility  and  fear 
lessness  of  a  feathered  Mercury.  With  a  coolness  that  did  in 
finite  credit  to  his  powers  for  commanding,  his  next  act  was  to 
dispossess  the  amazed  schipper  of  the  helm,  taking  the  tiller 
into  his  own  hands  with  as  much  composure  as  if  he  were  the 
every-day  occupant  of  the  post.  When  he  saw  that  the  boat 
was  beginning  to  move  through  the  water,  he  found  leisure  to 
bestow  some  observation  on  his  fellow-voyagers.  The  first  that 
met  his  bold  and  reckless  eye  was  Francois,  the  domestic  of 
Alida. 

"  If  it  come  to  blow  in  squalls,  commodore,"  observed  the 
intruder,  with  a  gravity  that  half  deceived  the  attentive 
Frenchman,  while  he  pointed  to  the  bag  in  which  the  latter 
wore  his  hair,  "  you'll  be  troubled  to  carry  your  broad  pen 
nant.  But  so  experienced  an  officer  has  not  put  to  sea  without 
having  a  storm-cue  in  readiness  for  foul  weather." 

The  valet  did  not,  or  affected  not  to  understand  the  allusion, 
maintaining  an  air  of  dignified  but  silent  superiority. 

"  The  gentleman  is  in  a  foreign  service,  and  does  not  un 
derstand  an  English  mariner"!  The  worst  that  can  come,  after 
all,  of  too  much  top-hamper  is  to  cut  away,  and  let  it  drift 
with  the  scud.— May  I  make  bold  to  ask.  judge,  if  the  courts 
have  done  any  thing  of  late  concerning  the  freebooters  among 
the  islands  ?  " 


|0  THE    WATER-WITCH, 

"  I  have  not  the  honor  to  bear  her  majesty's  commission," 
coldly  returned  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook,  to  whom  this  ques 
tion  had  been  hardily  put. 

"The  best  navigator  is  sometimes  puzzled  by  a  hazy  obser 
vation,  and  many  an  old  seaman  has  taken  a  fog-bank  for  solid 
ground.  Since  you  are  not  in  the  courts,  sir,  I  wish  you  joy; 
for  it  is  running  among  shoals  to  be  cruising  there,  whether  as 
judge  or  suitor.  One  is  never  fairly  snug  and  land-locked 
while  in  company  of  a  lawyer,  and  yet  the  devil  himself  can 
not  always  give  the  sharks  a  good  offing. — A  pretty  sheet  of 
water,  friends;  and  one  as  snug  as  rotten  cables  and  foul 
winds  can  render  desirable  is  this  bay  of  York." 

"You  are  a  mariner  of  the  long  voyage,"  returned  the 
patroon,  unwilling  that  Alida  should  not  believe  him  equal  to 
bandying  wits  with  the  stranger. 

"Long  or  short;  Calcutta  or  Cape  Cod;  dead-reckoning, 
eyesight,  or  star-gazing;  all's  one  to  your  real  dolphin.  The 
shape  of  the  coast,  between  Fundy  and  the  Horn,  is  as  familiar 
to  my  eye  as  an  admirer  to  this  pretty  young  lady ;  and  as  to 
the  other  shore,  I  have  run  it  down  oftener  than  the  commo 
dore  here  has  ever  set  his  pennant,  blow  high  or  blow  low.  A 
cruise  like  this  is  a  Sunday  in  my  navigation ;  though  I  dare 
say  you  took  leave  of  the  wife,  blessed  the  children,  overhauled 
the  will,  and  sent  to  ask  a  good  word  from  the  priest,  before 
you  came  aboard  ?  ' ' 

"Had  these  ceremonies  been  observed,  the  danger  would 
not  have  been  increased,"  said  the  young  patroon,  anxious  to 
steal  a  glance  at  la  belle  Barberie,  though  his  timidity  caused 
him,  in  truth,  to  look  the  other  way.  "  One  is  never  nearer 
danger,  for  being  prepared  to  meet  it." 

"  True ;  we  must  all  die  when  the  reckoning  is  out.  Hang 
or  drown — gibbet  or  bullet  clears  the  world  of  a  great  deal  of 
rubbish,  or  the  decks  would  get  to  be  so  littered  that  the  ves 
sel  could  not  be  worked.  The  last  cruise  is  the  longest  of  all ; 
and  honest  papers,  with  a  clean  bill  of  health,  may  help  a  man 
into  port,  when  he  is  past  keeping  the  open  sea.  How  now, 
Schipper,  what  lies  are  floating  about  the  docks  this  morning? 
when  did  the  last  Albanyman  get  his  tub  down  the  river?  or 
whose  gelding  has  been  ridden  to  death  in  chase  of  a  witch?  " 

"  The  devil's  babes  !  "  muttered  the  alderman,  "  there's  no 
want  of  roisterers  to  tormenr  such  innocents  !  " 

1 '  Have  the  buccaneers  taken  to  praying,  or  does  their  trade 
thrive  in  this  heel  of  the  war?"  continued  the  mariner  of  the 
India  shawl,  disregarding  the  complaint  of  the  burgher 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  3 1 

"  The  times  are  getting  heavy  for  men  of  metal,  as  may  DC 
$een  by  the  manner  in  which  yon  cruiser  wears  out  her 
ground-tackle,  instead  of  trying  the  open  sea.  May  I  spring 
every  spar  I  carry,  but  I  would  have  the  boat  out,  and  give 
her  an  airing  before  to-morrow,  if  the  queen  would  condescend 
to  put  your  humble  servant  in  charge  of  the  craft !  The  man 
lies  there  at  his  anchors  as  if  he  had  a  good  freight  of  real 
Hollands  in  his  hold,  and  was  waiting  for  a  few  bales  of 
beaver-skins  to  barter  for  his  strong  waters." 

As  the  stranger  coolly  expressed  his  opinion  of  her  majesty's 
ship  Coquette,  he  rolled  his  glance  over  the  persons  of  his 
companions,  suffering  it  to  rest  for  a  moment,  with  a  secret 
significance,  on  the  steady  eye  of  the  burgher. 

"Well,"  he  continued,  "the  sloop  answers  for  a  floating 
vane  to  tell  which  way  the  tide  is  running,  if  she  does  nothing 
better ;  and  that  must  be  a  great  assistance,  schipper,  in  the 
navigation  of  one  who  keeps  as  bright  a  lookout  on  the  man 
ner  ki  which  the  world  whirls  round  as  a  gentleman  of  your 
sagacity." 

"  If  the  news  in  the  creek  be  true,"  rejoined  the  unoffended 
owner  of  the  periagua,  "there  will  be  other  business  for  Cap 
tain  Ludlow  and  the  Coquette  before  many  days." 

"  Ah  !  having  eaten  all  his  meat  and  bread,  the  man  will 
be  obliged  to  victual  his  ship  anew.  'Twere  a  pity  so  active 
a  gentleman  should  keep  a  fast  in  a  brisk  tide's-vvay.  And 
when  his  coppers  are  once  more  filled,  and  the  dinner  is  fairly 
eaten,  what  dost  think  will  be  his  next  duty?" 

"  There  is  a  report,  among  the  boatmen  of  the  South  Bay, 
that  something  was  seen  yester'night  off  the  outer  side  of  Long 
Island." 

"I'll  answer  for  the  truth  of  that  rumor,  for,  having  come 
up  with  the  evening  flood,  I  saw  it  myself." 

"  Der  duyvel's  luck  !  and  what  dost  take  it  to  be?  " 

"  The  Atlantic  Ocean  ;  if  you  doubt  my  word,  I  appeal  tc 
this  well-ballasted  old  gentleman  who,  being  a  school-master 
is  able  to  give  you  latitude  and  longitude  for  its  truth." 

"I  am  Alderman  Van  Beverout,"  muttered  the  object  of 
this  new  attack  between  his  teeth,  though  apparently  but  half 
disposed  to  notice  one  who  set  so  little  bounds  to  his  dis 
course. 

"  I  beg  a  thousand  pardons  !  "  returned  the  strange  seaman 
with  a  grave  inclination  of  his  body.     "  The  stolidity  of  your 
worship's  countenance  deceived  me.     It  may  be,  indeed,  un 
reasonable  to  expect  any  alderman  to  know  the  position  of  thf 


33  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

Atlantic  Ocean  ! — And  yet,  gentlemen,  on  the  honor  of  a  man 
who  has  seen  much  salt-water  in  his  time,  I  do  assure  you  the 
sea  I  speak  of  is  actually  there.  If  there  be  any  thing  on  it, 
or  in  it,  that  should  not  be  in  reason,  this  worthy  commander 
of  the  periagua  will  let  us  know  the  rest." 

' '  A  wood-boat  from  the  inlet,  says  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas 
was  lately  seen  standing  along  the  coast,1'  returned  the  ferry 
man,  in  the  tone  of  one  who  is  certain  of  delivering  matter  oi 
general  interest. 

"  Your  true  sea-dog,  who  runs  in  and  out  of  inlets,  is  a  man 
for  marvels!"  coolly  observed  the  stranger.  "They  know 
the  color  of  the  sea  at  night,  and  are  forever  steering  in  the 
wind's  eye  in  search  of  adventures.  I  wonder  more  of  them 
are  not  kept  at  making  almanacs  !  There  was  a  mistake  con 
cerning  a  thunder-storm  in  the  last  I  bought,  and  all  for  the 
want  of  proper  science.  And  pray,  friend,  who  is  this  Skim 
mer  of  the  Seas,  that  is  said  to  be  running  after  his  needle  like 
a  tailor  who  has  found  a  hole  in  his  neighbor's  coat?  " 

"The  witches  may  tell!  I  only  know  that  such  a  rover 
there  is,  and  that  he  is  here  to-day,  and  there  to-morrow. 
Some  say  that  it  is  only  a  craft  of  mist  that  skims  the  top  of 
the  seas  like  a  sailing  water-fowl ;  and  others  think  it  is  the 
sprite  of  a  vessel  that  was  rifled  and  burnt  by  Kidd  in  the  In 
dian  Ocean,  looking  for  its  gold  and  the  killed.  I  saw  him 
once  myself,  but  the  distance  was  so  great,  and  his  manoeuvres 
so  unnatural,  that  I  could  hardly  give  a  good  account  of  his 
hull  or  rig." 

"This  is  matter  that  don't  get  into  the  log  every  watch  ! 
Whereaway,  or  in  what  seas,  didst  meet  the  thing?  " 

"  'Twas  off  the  Branch.  We  were  fishing  in  thick  weather, 
tnd  when  the  mist  lifted  a  little,  there  was  a  craft  seen  stand 
ing  inshore,  running  like  a  race-horse ;  but  while  we  got  our 
Anchor,  she  had  made  a  league  of  offing  on  the  other  tack  !  " 

"A  certain  proof  of  either  her  or  your  activity  !  But  what 
jaight  have  been  the  form  and  shape  of  your  fly-away?  " 

"Nothing  determined.  To  one  she  seemed  a  full-rigged 
and  booming  ship;  and  another  took  her  for  a  Bermudian 
scudder ;  while  to  me  she  had  the  look  of  twenty  periaguas 
built  into  a  single  craft.  It  is  well  known,  however,  that  a 
West-Indiaman  went  to  sea  that  night,  and  though  it  is  now 
three  years,  no  tidings  of  her  or  her  crew  have  ever  come'  to 
any  in  York.  I  have  never  gone  upon  the  banks  to  fish  since 
that  day,  in  thick  weather." 

"You  have  done  well,"  observed  the  stranger.     "  I  have 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  3| 

seen  many  wonderful  sights  myself  on  the  rolling  ocean ;  and 
he  whose  business  it  is  to  lay  between  wind  and  water  like 
you,  my  friend,  should  never  trust  himself  within  reach  of  one 
of  those  devil's  fliers.  I  could  tell  you  a  tale  of  an  affair  in 
the  calm  latitudes,  under  the  burning  sun,  that  would  be  a 
lesson  to  all  of  overbold  curiosity  !  Commission  and  character 
are  not  affairs  for  your  inshore  coasters." 

"  We  have  time  to  hear  it,"  observed  the  patroon,  whose 
attention  had  been  excited  by  the  discourse,  and  who  read  in 
the  dark  eye  of  Alida  that  she  felt  an  interest  in  the  expected 
narrative. 

.tmt  the  countenance  of  the  stranger  suddenly  grew  serious. 
He  shook  his  head  like  one  who  had  sufficient  reasons  for  his 
silence ;  and,  relinquishing  the  tiller,  he  quite  coolly  obliged 
a  gaping  countryman  in  the  centre  of  the  boat  to  yield  his 
place,  where  he  laid  his  own  athletic  form  at  full  length, 
folded  his  arms  on  his  breast,  and  shut  his  eyes.  In  less  than 
five  minutes,  all  within  hearing  had  audible  evidence  that  thif 
extraordinary  son  of  the  ocean  was  in  a  sound  sleep. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Be  patient,  for  the  prize  I'll  bring  thee  tot 
Shall  hoodwink  this  mischance." 

TEMPEST. 

THE  air,  audacity,  and  language  of  the  unknown  mariner, 
had  produced  a  marked  sensation  among  the  passengers  of  the 
periagua.  It  was  plain,  b.y  the  playfulness  that  lurked  about 
the  coal-black  eye  of  the  belle  Barberie,  that  she  had  been 
amused  by  his  sarcasms,  though  the  boldness  of  his  manner 
had  caused  her  to  maintain  the  reserve  which  she  believed 
oecessary  to  her  sex  and  condition.  The  patroon  studied  the 
countenance  of  his  mistress,  and,  though  half  offended  by  the 
fireedom  of  the  intruder,  he  nad  believed  it  wisest  to  tolerate 
ilis  liberties,  as  the  natural  excesses  of  a  spirit  that  had  been 
lately  released  from  the  monotony  of  a  sea-life.  The  repose 
which  usually  reigned  in  the  countenance  of  the  alderman  had 
been  a  little  troubled ;  but  he  succeeded  in  concealing  his  dis 
content  from  any  impertinent  observation.  When  the  chief 
actor  in  the  foregoing  scene,  therefore,  saw  fit  to  withdraw,  the 

3 


34 

usual  tranquillity  \vas  restored,  and  his  presence  appeared  to  be 
forgotten. 

An  ebbing  tide  and  a  freshening  breeze  quickly  carried  the 
periagua  past  the  smaller  islands  of  the  bay,  and  brought  the 
cruiser  called  the  Coquette  more  distinctly  into  view.  This 
vessel,  a  ship  of  twenty  guns,  lay  abreast  of  the  hamlet  on 
the  shores  of  Staten  Island,  which  was  the  destination  of  the 
ferry-boat.  Here  was  the  usual  anchorage  of  outward-bound 
ships,  which  awaited  a  change  of  wind ;  and  it  was  here  that 
vessels,  then,  as  in  our  times,  were  subject  to  those  exam 
inations  and  delays  which  are  imposed  for  the  safety  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  city.  The  Coquette  was  alone,  however  ; 
for  the  arrival  of  a  trader  from  a  distant  point  was  an  event  of 
anfrequent  occurrence  at  the  commencement  of  the  eighteenth 
century. 

The  course  of  the  periagua  brought  her  within  fifty  feet  of 
the  sloop- of- war.  As  the  former  approached,  a  movement 
of  curiosity  and  interest  occurred  among  those  she  contained. 

"  Take  more  room  for  your  milkmaid,"  grumbled  the 
alderman,  observing  that  the  schipper  was  willing  to  gratify  his 
passengers  by  running  as  near  as  possible  to  the  dark  sides  of 
the  cruiser  "Seas  and  oceans  !  is  not  York  Bay  wide  enough, 
that  you  must  brush  the  dust  out  of  the  muzzles  of  the  guns 
of  yon  lazy  ship  ?  If  the  queen  knew  how  her  money  was 
eaten  and  drunk  by  the  idle  knaves  aboard  her,  she  would  send 
them  all  to  hunt  for  freebooters  among  the  islands.  Look  at 
the  land,  Alida,  child,  and  you'll  think  no  more  of  the  fright 
the  gaping  dunce  is  giving  thee ;  he  only  wishes  to  show  his 
skill  in  steering." 

But  the  niece  manifested  none  of  the  terror  that  the  uncle 
was  willing  t©  ascribe  to  her  fears.  Instead  of  turning  pale, 
the  color  deepened  on  her  cheeks  as  the  periagua  came  danc 
ing  along  under  the  lee  of  the  cruiser,  and,  if  her  respiration 
became  quicker  than  usual,  it  was  scarcely  produced  by  the 
agitation  of  alarm.  The  near  sight  of  the  tall  masts,  and  of 
the  maze  of  cordage  that  hung  nearly  above  their  heads,  how 
ever,  prevented  the  change  from  being  noted.  A  hundred 
curious  eyes  were  already  peeping  at  them  through  the  ports  or 
over  the  bulwarks  of  the  ship,  when  suddenly  an  officer,  who 
wore  the  undress  of  a  naval  captain  of  that  day,  sprang  into 
the  main  rigging  of  the  cruiser,  and  saluted  the  party  in  the 
periagua  by  waving  his  hat  hurriedly,  like  one  who  was  agree 
ably  taken  by  surprise. 

•'  A  fair  sky  and  gentle  breezes  to  each  and  all  !  "  he  cric<i» 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  3$ 

with  the  hearty  manner  of  a  seaman.  "I  kiss  my  hand  to  the 
fair  Alida ;  and  the  alderman  will  take  a  sailor's  good  wishes, 
Mr.  Van  Staats,  I  salute  you."' 

"Ay,"  muttered  the  burgher,  "your  idlers  have  nothing 
better  to  do  than  make  words  answer  for  deeds.  A  lazy  war 
and  a  distant  enemy  make  you  seamen  the  lords  of  the  land, 
Captain  Ludlow." 

Alida  blushed  still  deeper,  hesitated,  and  then,  by  a  move 
ment  that  was  half  involuntary,  she  waved  her  handkerchief. 
The  young  patroon  arose,  and  answered  the  salutation  by  a 
courteous  bow.  By  this  time  the  ferry-boat  was  nearly  past 
the  ship,  and  the  scowl  was  quitting  the  face  of  the  alderman, 
when  the  mariner  of  the  India  shawl  sprang  to  his  feet, 
and  in  k  moment  he  stood  again  in  the  centre  of  the  party. 

"  A  pretty  sea-boat,  and  a  neat  show  aloft  !  "  he  said,  as 
his  understanding  eye  scanned  the  rigging  of  the  royal  cruiser, 
taking  the  tiller  at  the  same  time,  with  all  his  former  indiffer 
ence,  from  the  hands  of  the  schipper.  "  Her  majesty  should 
have  good  service  from  such  a  racer,  and  no  doubt  the  youtfr 
in  her  rigging  is  a  man  to  get  the  most  out  of  his  craft. 
We'll  take  another  observation.  Draw  away  your  head-sheet, 
boy." 

The  stranger  had  put  the  helm  a-lee  while  speaking,  and  by 
the  time  the  order  he  had  given  was  uttered  the  quick-working 
boat  was  about,  and  nearly  filled  on  the  other  tack.  In 
another  minute  she  was  again  brushing  along  the  side  of  the 
sloop-of-war.  A  common  complaint  against  this  hardy  inter 
ference  with  the  regular  duty  of  the  boat  was  about  to  break 
out  of  the  lips  of  the  alderman  and  the  schipper,  when  he  of 
the  India  shawl  lifted  his  cap  and  addressed  the  officer  in  the 
rigging  with  all  the  self-possession  he  had  manifested  in  the 
intercourse  with  those  nearer  his  person. 

"  Has  her  majesty  need  of  a  man  in  her  service  who  has 
seen,  in  his  time,  more  blue  water  than  hard  ground  ;  or  is 
there  no  empty  berth,  in  so  gallant  a  cruiser,  for  one  who  must 
do  a  seaman's  duty  or  starve  ?  " 

The  descendant  of  the  king-hating  Ludlows,  as  the  Lord 
Cornbury  had  styled  the  race  of  the  commander  of  the 
Coquette,  was  quite  as  much  surprised  by  the  appearance  of  him 
who  put  this  question,  as  he  was  by  the  coolness  with  which  a 
mariner  of  ordinary  condition  presumed  to  address  an  officer 
who  bore  so  high  a  commission  as  his  own.  He  had,  how 
ever,  sufficient  time  to  recollect  in  whose  presence  he  stood  ere 
he  replied,  for  the  stranger  had  again  placed  the  helm  a-lee, 


36  THE    WATER-IVITCH. 

and  caused  the  foresail  to  be  thrown  back — a  change  that  made 
the  periagua  stationary. 

"  The  queen  will  always  receive  a  bold  mariner  in  her  pay,  if 
he  come  prepared  to  serve  with  skill  and  fidelity,"  he  said  ;  "  as 
a  proof  of  which,  let  a  rope  be  thrown  the  periagua ;  we  shall 
treat  more  at  our  ease  under  her  majesty's  pennant.  I  shall  be 
proud  to  entertain  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  in  the  mean  time ; 
and  a  cutter  will  always  be  at  his  command  when  he  shall  have 
occasion  to  quit  us." 

* '  Your  land-loving  aldermen  find  their  way  from  a  queen's 
cruiser  to  the  shore  more  easily  than  a  seaman  of  twenty  years' 
experience,"  returned  the  other,  without  giving  the  burgher 
time  to  express  his  thanks  for  the  polite  offer  of  the  other. 
' '  You  have  gone  through  the  Gibraltar  passage,  without  doubt, 
noble  captain,  being  a  gentleman  that  has  got  so  fine  a  boat 
under  his  orders?  " 

"  Duty  has  taken  me  into  the  Italian  seas  more  than  once," 
answered  Ludlow,  half  disposed  to  resent  this  familiarity, 
though  too  anxious  to  keep  the  periagua  near,  to  quarrel  with 
him  who  so  evidently  had  produced  the  unexpected  pleasure. 

"  Then  you  know  that,  though  a  lady  might  fan  a  ship 
through  the  straits  eastward,  it  needs  a  Levant-breeze  to  bring 
her  out  again.  Her  majesty's  pennants  are  long,  and  when 
they  get  foul  around  the  limbs  of  a  thoroughly-bred  sea-dog,  it 
passes  all  his  art  to  clear  the  jam.  It  is  most  worthy  of  remark, 
that  the  better  the  seaman,  the  less  his  power  to  cast  loose  the 
knot!" 

"  If  the  pennant  be  so  long,  it  may  reach  farther  than  you 
wish  ! — But  a  bold  volunteer  has  no  occasion  to  dread  a 
press." 

"I  fear  the  berth  I  wish  i?  filled,"  returned  the  other,  curl 
ing  his  lip;  "  let  draw  the  fore-sheet,  lad  ;  we  will  take  our 
departure,  leaving  the  fly  of  the  pennant  well  under  our  lee. — 
Adieu,  brave  captain  ;  when  you  have  need  of  a  thorough 
rover,  and  dream  of  stern-chases  and  wet  sails,  think  of  him 
who  visited  your  ship  at  her  lazy  moorings." 

Ludlow  bit  his  lips,  and  though  his  fine  face  reddened  to  the 
temples,  he  met  the  arch-glance  of  Alida,  and  laughed.  But  he 
who  had  so  hardily  braved  the  resentment  of  a  man  powerful 
as  the  commander  of  a  royal  cruiser  in  a  British  colony, 
appeared  to  understand  the  hazard  c/f  his  situation.  The 
periagua  whirled  round  on  her  heel,  and  the  next  minute  it  was 
bending  to  the  breeze,  and  dashing  through  the  little  waves 
toward  the  shore.  Three  boats  left  the  cruiser  at  the  same 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  3? 

moment.  One,  which  evidently  contained  her  captain, 
advanced  with  the  usual  dignified  movement  of  a  barge  land 
ing  an  officer  of  rank,  but  the  others  were  urged  ahead  with 
all  the  earnestness  of  a  hot  chase. 

«  Unless  disposed  to  serve  the  queen,  you  have  not  done 
well,  my  friend,  to  brave  one  of  her  commanders  at  the 
muzzles  of  his  guns,"  observed  the  patroon,  so  soon  as  the  state 
of  the  case  became  too  evident  to  doubt  of  the  intentions  of  the 
man-of-war's  men. 

' '  That  Captain  Ludlow  would  gladly  take  some  of  us  out  of 
this  boat,  by  fair  means  or  by  foul,  is  a  fact  clear  as  a  bright 
star  in  a  cloudless  night  ;  and,  well  knowing  a  seaman's  duty 
to  his  superiors,  I  shall  leave  him  to  his  choice." 

"  In  which  case  you  will  shortly  eat  her  majesty's  bread," 
pithily  returned  the  alderman. 

"The  food  is  unpalatable,  and  I  reject  it ;  yet  here  is 
a  boat  whose  crew  seem  determined  to  make  one  swallow 
worse  fare." 

The  unknown  mariner  ceased  speaking,  for  the  situation  of 
the  periagua  was  truly  getting  to  be  a  little  critical.  At  least, 
so  it  seemed  to  the  less-instructed  landsmen  who  were  wit 
nesses  of  this  unexpected  recontre.  As  the  ferry-boat  had 
drawn  in  with  the  island,  the  wind  hauled  more  through  the 
pass  which  communicates  with  the  outer  bay,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  heave  about  twice,  in  order  to  fetch  to  windward 
of  the  usual  landing-place.  The  first  of  these  manoeuvres  had 
been  executed,  and  as  it  necessarily  changed  their  course,  the 
passengers  saw  that  the  cutter  to  which  the  stranger  alluded 
was  enabled  to  get  within-shore  of  them,  or  nearer  to  the 
wharf  where  they  ought  to  land,  than  they  were  themselves. 
Instead'  of  suffering  himself  to  be  led  off  by  a  pursuit  that  he 
knew  might  easily  be  rendered  useless,  the  officer  who  com 
manded  this  boat  cheered  his  men,  and  pulled  swiftly  to  the 
point  of  debarkation.  On  the  other  hand,  a  second  cutter, 
which  had  already  reached  the  line  of  the  periagua's  course, 
lay  on  its  oars,  and  awaited  its  approach.  The  unknown 
mariner  manifested  no  intention  to  avoid  the  interview.  He 
still  held  the  tiller,  and  as  effectually  commanded  the  little 
vessel  as  if  his  authority  were  of  a  more  regular  character. 
The  audacity  and  decision  of  his  air  and  conduct,  aided  by 
the  consummate  manner  in  which  he  worked  the  boat,  might 
alone  have  achieved  this  momentary  usurpation  had  not  the 
general  feeling  against  impressment  been  so  much  in  his 
(avor. 


38  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"The  devil's  fangs!"  grumbled  the  schipper.  "If  you 
should  keep  the  Milkmaid  away,  we  shall  lose  a  little  in  dis 
tance,  though  I  think  the  man-of-war's  men  will  be  puzzled  to 
catch  her,  with  a  flowing  sheet !  " 

"The  queen  has  sent  a  message  by  the  gentleman,"  the 
mariner  rejoined  ;  "it  would  be  unmannerly  to  refuse  to  hear 
it." 

"Heave-to  the  periagua  !  "  shouted  the  young  officer  in 
the  cutter.  "  In  her  majesty's  name,  I  command  you, 
obey  !  " 

"God  bless  the  royal  lady!"  returned  he  of  the  foul- 
anchors  and  gay  shawl,  while  the  swift  ferry-boat  continued  to 
dash  ahead.  "  We  owe  her  duty,  and  are  glad  to  see  so  proper 
a  genuv,  nan  employed  in  her  behalf." 

By  this  time  the  boats  were  fifty  feet  asunder.  No  sooner 
was  there  room,  than  the  periagua  once  more  flew  round,  and 
commenced  anew  its  course,  dashing  in  again  toward  the 
shore.  It  was  necessary,  however,  to  venture  within  an  oar's 
length  of  the  cutter,  or  to  keep  away — a  loss  of  ground  to 
which  he  who  controlled  her  movements  showed  no  disposition 
to  submit.  The  officer  arose,  and,  as  the  periagua  drew  near, 
it  was  evident  his  hand  held  a  pistol,  though  he  seemed  re 
luctant  to  exhibit  the  weapon.  The  mariner  stepped  aside  in 
a  manner  to  offer  a  full  view  of  all  his  group,  as  he  sarcastically 
observed : 

"  Choose  your  object,  sir;  in  such  a  party  a  man  of  sentl 
ment  may  have  a  preference." 

The  young  man  colored,  as  much  with  shame  at  the  degrad 
ing  duty  he  had  been  commissioned  to  perform,  as  with  vexa 
tion  at  his  failure.  Recovering  his  self-composure,  however, 
he  lifted  his  hat  to  la  bella  Barberie,  and  the  periagua  dashed 
on  in  triumph.  Still  the  leading  cutter  was  near  the  shore, 
where  it  soon  arrived,  the  crew  lying  on  their  oars  near  the 
end  of  the  wharf,  in  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  the  ferry 
boat.  At  this  sight  the  schipper  shook  his  head,  and  looked  up 
into  the  bold  face  of  his  passenger,  in  a  manner  to  betray  how 
much  his  mind  misgave  the  result.  But  the  tall  mariner 
maintained  his  coolness,  and  began  to  make  merry  allusions  to 
the  service  which  he  had  braved  with  so  much  temerity,  and 
from  which  no  one  believed  he  was  yet  likely  to  escape.  By 
the  former  manoeuvres,  the  periagua  had  gained  a  position 
well  to  windward  of  the  wharf,  and  she  was  now  steered  close 
the  wind,  directly  for  the  shore.  Against  the  conse* 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  39 

quences  of  a  perseverance  in  this  course,  however,  the  schippei 
saw  fit  to  remonstrate. 

"  Shipwrecks  and  rocky  bottoms  !  "  exclaimed  the  alarmed 
waterman.  "A  Holland  galliot  would  go  to  pieces,  if  you 
\hould  run  her  in  among  those  stepping-stones  with  this  breeze. 
No  honest  boatman  loves  to  see  a  man  stowed  in  a  cruiser's 
hold,  like  a  thief  caged  in  his  prison ;  but  when  it  comes  to 
breaking  the  nose  of  the  Milkmaid,  it  is  asking  too  much  of 
her  owner  to  stand  by  and  look  on." 

"  There  shall  not  be  a  dimple  in  her  lovely  countenance  de 
ranged,"  answered  his  cool  passenger. — "  Now,  lower  away 
your  sails,  and  we'll  run  along  the  shore,  down  to  yon  wharf. 
'Twould  be  an  ungallant  act  to  treat  the  dairy-girl  with  so  little 
ceremony,  gentlemen,  after  the  lively  foot  and  quick  evolutions 
she  has  shown  in  our  behalf.  The  best  dancer  in  the  island 
could  not  have  better  played  her  part,  though  jigging  under 
the  music  of  a  three-stringed  fiddle." 

By  this  time  the  sails  were  lowered,  and  the  periagua  was 
gliding  down  toward  the  place  of  landing,  running  always  at 
the  distance  of  some  fifty  feet  from  the  shore. 

"  Every  craft  has  its  allotted  time,  like  a  mortal,"  continued 
the  inexplicable  mariner  of  the  India  shawl.  "If  she  is  to 
die  a  sudden  death,  there  is  your  beam-end  and  stern-way, 
which  takes  her  into  the  grave  without  funeral  service  or  parish 
prayers ;  your  dropsy  is  being  water-logged ;  gout  and  rheu 
matism  kill  like  a  broken  back  and  loose  joints ;  indigestion 
is  a  shifting  cargo,  with  guns  adrift ;  the  gallows  is  a  bottomry- 
bond,  with  lawyers'  fees  ;  while  fire,  drowning,  death  by  re 
ligious  melancholy,  and  suicide,  are  a  careless  gunner,  sunken 
rocks,  false  lights,  and  a  lubberly  captain." 

Ere  any  were  apprised  of  his  intention,  this  singular  being 
then  sprang  from  the  boat  on  the  cap  of  a  little  rock,  over 
which  the  waves  were  washing,  whence  he  bounded  from 
stone  to  stone,  by  vigorous  efforts,  till  he  fairly  leaped  to  land. 
In  another  minute  he  was  lost  to  view  among  the  dwellings  of 
the  hamlet. 

The  arrival  of  the  periagua,  which  immediately  after  reached 
the  wharf,  the  disappointment  of  the  cutter's  crew,  and  th« 
return  of  both  the  boats  to  their  ship,  succeeded  as  matters  of 
Bourse. 


THE   WATER-WITCH. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Oliv.  "  Did  he  write  this?11 
Clo.  "  Ay,  madam." 

TWELFTH  NIGHT. 

IF  we  say  that  Alida  de  Barbaric  did  not  cast  a  glance 
behind  her  as  the  party  quitted  the  wharf,  in  order  to  see 
whether  the  boat  that  contained  the  commander  of  the  cruiser 
followed  the  example  of  the  others,  we  shall  probably  portray 
the  maiden  as  one  that  was  less  subject  to  the  influence  of 
coquetry  than  the  truth  would  justify.  To  the  great  discontent 
of  the  alderman,  whatever  might  have  been  the  feelings  of  his 
niece  on  the  occasion,  the  barge  continued  to  approach  the 
shore,  in  a  manner  which  showed  that  the  young  seaman  be 
trayed  no  visible  interest  in  the  result  of  the  chase. 

The  heights  of  Staten  Island,  a  century  ago,  were  covered, 
much  as  they  are  at  present,  with  a  growth  of  dwarf  trees. 
Foot-paths  led  along  this  meagre  vegetation  in  divers  direc 
tions;  and,  as  the  hamlet  at  the  quarantine-ground  was  the 
point  whence  they  all  diverged,  it  required  a  practised  guide 
to  thread  their  mazes  without  a  loss  of  both  time  and  distance. 
It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  worthy  burgher  was  fully 
equal  to  the  office ;  for,  moving  with  more  than  his  usual 
agility,  he  soon  led  his  companions  into  the  wood,  and,  by 
frequently  altering  his  course,  so  completely  confounded  their 
sense  of  the  relative  bearings  of  places,  that  it  is  not  probable 
one  of  them  all  could  very  readily  have  extricated  himself  from 
the  labyrinth. 

"  Clouds  and  shady  bowers  !  "  exclaimed  Myndert,  when  he 
had  achieved,  to  his  own  satisfaction,  this  evasion  of  the  pur 
suit  he  .wished  to  avoid;  "little  oaks  and  green  pines  are 
pleasant  on  a  June  morning.  You  shall  have  mountain  air 
and  a  sea-breeze,  patroon,  to  quicken  the  appetite  of  the  Lust 
in  Rust.  If  Alida  will  speak,  the  girl  can  say  that  a  mouthful 
of  the  elixir  is  better  for  a  rosy  cheek,  than  all  the  concoctions 
and  washes  that  were  ever  invented  to  give  a  man  a  heart 
ache." 

"  If  the  place  be  as  much  changed  as  the  road  that  leads  to 
it,"  returned  la  belle  Barberie,  glancing  her  dark  eye,  in  vain, 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  41 

in   the   direction   of  the   bay  they  had   quitted,   "  I  should 
scarcely  venture  an  opinion  on  a  subject  of  which  I  am  obliged 

to  confess  utter  ignorance." 

"Ah,  woman  is  naught  but  vanities!  To  see  and  to  be 
seen,  is  the  delight  of  the  sex.  Though  we  are  a  thousand 
times  more  comfortable  in  this  wood  than  we  should  be  in 
walking  along  the  water-side,  why,  the  sea-gulls  and  snipet 
lose  the  benefit  of  our  company  !  The  salt-water,  and  all  who 
live  on  it,  are  to  be  avoided  by  a  wise  man,  Mr.  Van  Staats, 
except  as  they  both  serve  to  cheapen  freight  and  to  render 
trade  brisk.  You'll  thank  me  for  this  care,  niece  of  mine, 
when  you  reach  the  bluff,  cool  as  a  package  of  furs  free  from 
moth,  and  fresh  and  beautiful  as  a  Holland  tulip,  with  the  dew 
on  it." 

"  To  resemble  the  latter,  one  might  consent  to  walk  blind 
fold,  dearest  uncle ;  and  so  we  dismiss  the  subject.  Francois, 
fais  moi  le  plaisir  de  porter  ce  petit  livre ;  malgre  la  fraicheur 
de  la  foret,  j'ai  besoin  de  m'eventer." 

The  valet  took  the  book  with  an  empressement  that  defeated 
the  more  tardy  politeness  of  the  patroon  ;  and  when  he  saw, 
by  the  vexed  eye  and  flushed  cheek  of  his  young  mistress,  that 
she  was  incommoded  rather  by  an  internal  than  by  the  exter 
nal  heat,  he  whispered  considerately  : 

"  Que  ma  chere  Mademoiselle  Alide  ne  se  fache  pas  !  Elle 
ne  manquerait  jarnais  d'admirateurs,  dans  un  desert.  Ah  !  si 
mam'selle  allait  voir  la  patrie  de  ses  ancetres  ! " 

"  'Merci  bien,  mon  cher;  gardez  les  feuilles,  fortement  fer- 
me"es.  II  y  a  des  papiers  dedans." 

"Monsieur  Francois,"  said  the  alderman,  separating  his 
niece  with  little  ceremony,  from  her  nearly  parental  attendant, 
by  the  interposition  of  his  own  bulky  person,  and  motioning 
for  the  others  to  proceed,  "  a  word  with  thee  in  confidence. 
I  have  noted,  in  the  course  of  a  busy  and  I  hope  a  profitable 
life,  that  a  faithful  servant  is  an  honest  counsellor.  Next  to 
Holland  and  England,  both  of  which  are  great  commercial 
nations,  and  the  Indies,  which  are  necessary  to  these  colonies, 
together  with  a  natural  preference  for  the  land  in  which  I  was 
born,  I  have  always  been  of  opinion  that  France  is  a  very 
good  sort  of  a  country.  I  think,  Mr.  Francis,  that  dislike  to 
the  seas  has  kept  you  from  returning  thither,  since  the  de 
cease  of  my  late  brother-in-law?  " 

"  Wid  like  for  Mam'selle  Alide,  monsieur,  avec  votre  per 
mission." 

**  Your  affection  for  my  niece,  honest  Fran9ois,  is  not  to  be 


42  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

doubted.      It  is  as  certain  as  the  payment  of  a  good  draft,  by 

Crommeline,    Van   Stopper,    and   Van   Gelt,  of  Amsterdam. 

A.h  !  old  valet  !  she  is  fresh  and  blooming  as  a  rose,  and  a  girl 

^  of  excellent  qualities  !     'Tis  a  pity  that  she  is  a  little  opinion- 

*  ated  ;  a   defect  that  she  doubtless  inherits  from  her  Norman 

ancestors ;  since  all  of  my  family  have  ever  been  remarkable 

for  listening  to  reason.     The  Normans  were  an  obstinate  race, 

as  witness  the  siege  of  Rochelle,  by  which  oversight  real  estate 

in  that  city  must  have  lost  much  in  value  !  " 

"Mille  excuses,  Monsieur  Bevre' ;  more  beautiful  as 

de  rose,  and  no  opiniatre  du  tout.  Mon  Dieu,  poursa  qualite, 
c'est  une  famille  tres  ancienne." 

"  That  was  a  weak  point  with  my  brother  Barberie,  and,  af 
ter  all,  it  did  not  add  a  cipher  to  the  sum  total  of  the  assets. 
The  best  blood,  Mr.  Francois,  is  that  which  has  been  best  fed. 
The  line  of  Hugh  Capet  himself  would  fail  without  the  butcher; 
and  the  butcher  would  certainly  fail  without  customers  that 
can  pay.  Francois,  thou  art  a  man  who  understands  the 
value  of  a  sure  footing  in  the  world ;  would  it  not  be  a  thou 
sand  pities  that  such  a  girl  as  Alida  should  throw  herself  away 
on  one  whose  best  foundation  is  no  better  than  a  rolling 
ship?" 

"  Certainement,  monsieur;  mam'selle  be  too  good  to  roll 
in  de  ship." 

"  Obliged  to  follow  a  husband  up  and  down  ;  among  free 
booters  and  dishonest  traders ;  in  fair  weather  and  foul ;  hot 
and  cold ;  wet  and  dry  ;  bilge-water  and  salt-water  ;  cramps 
and  nausea ;  salt-junk  and  no  junk ;  gales  and  calms — and  all 
for  a  hasty  judgment  formed  in  sanguine  youth." 

The  face  of  the  valet  had  responded  to  the  alderman's 
enumeration  of  the  evils  that  would  attend  so  ill-judged  a  step 
in  his  niece,  as  faithfully  as  if  each  muscle  had  been  a  mirror, 
to  reflect  the  contortions  of  one  suffering  under  the  maladv  of 
the  sea. 

"  Parbleu,  c'est  horrible,  cette  mer  !  "  he  ejaculated,  when 
the  other  had  done.  "It  is  grand  malheur,  dere  should  be 
watair  but  for  drink,  and  for  la  proprete,  avec  fosse  to  keep  de 
carp  round  le  chateau.  Mais,  mam'selle  be  no  haste  judg 
ment,  and  she  shadl  have  mari  on  la  terre  solide." 

"  'Twould  be  better  that  the  estate  of  my  brother-in-law 
should  be  kept  in  sight,  judicious  Franc/ois,  than  to  be  sent 
adrift  on  the  high-seas." 

"  Dere  vas  marin  dans  la  famille  de  Barbeiie,  nevair." 

"  Bonds  and  balances  !  if  the  savings  of  one  I  could  name, 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  43 

frugal  Francois,  were  added  in  current  coin,  the  sum  total 
would  sink  a  common  ship.  You  know  it  is  my  intention  to 
remember  Alida,  in  settling  accounts  with  the  world." 

"If  Monsieur  de  Barberie  vas  'live,  Monsieur  Alderman, 
he  should  say  des  choses  convenables ;  mais,  malheureusement, 
mon  cher  maitre  est  mort;  and,  sair,  I  shall  be  bold  toremer- 
cier  pour  lui,  et  pour  tout  sa  famille." 

"  Women  are  perverse,  and  sometimes  they  have  pleasure  in 
doing  the  very  thing  they  are  desired  not  to  do." 

"  Ma  foi,  oui  !  " 

"  Prudent  men  should  manage  them  with  soft  words  and 
fich  gifts  ;  with  these  they  become  orderly  as  a  pair  of  well- 
broke  geldings." 

"  Monsieur  know,"  said  the  old  valet,  rubbing  his  hands, 
and  laughing  with  the  subdued  voice  of  a  well-bred  domestic, 
though  he  could  not  conceal  a  jocular  wink  ;  "  pourtant  il  est 
garcon  !  Le  cadeau  be  good  for  de  demoiselles,  and  bettair  as 
for  de  dames." 

"Wedlock  and  blinkers  !  it  is  we  gassons,  as  you  call  us, 
who  ought  to  know.  Your  henpecked  husband  has  no  time  to 
generalize  among  the  sex,  in  order  to  understand  the  real 
quality  of  the  article.  Now  here  is  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook, 
faithful  Francois  ;  what  think  you  of  such  a  youth  for  a  hu  - 
band  for  Alida?" 

"  Pourtant,  mam'selle  like  de  vivacitS;  Monsieur  le  Patroon 
be  nevair  trop  vif." 

"  The  more  likely  to  be'  sure. — Hist !  I  hear  a  footstep. 
We  are  followed — chased,  perhaps,  I  should  say,  to  speak  in 
the  language  of  these  sea-gentry.  Now  is  the  time  to  show 
this  Captain  Ludlow  how  a  Frenchman  can  wind  him  round 
his  finger  on  terra  firma.  Loiter  in  the  rear,  and  draw  our 
navigator  on  a  wrong  course.  When  he  has  run  into  a  fog, 
come  yourself  with  all  speed  to  the  oak  on  the  bluff.  There 
we  shall  await  you." 

Flattered  by  this  confidence,  and  really  persuaded  that  he 
was  furthering  the  happiness  of  her  he  served,  the  old  valet 
nodded  in  reply  to  the  alderman's  wink  and  chuckle,  and  im 
mediately  relaxed  his  speed.  The  former  pushed  ahead  ;  and  in 
a  minute  he  and  those  who  followed  had  turned  short  to  the 
left,  and  were  out  of  sight. 

Though  faithfully  and  even  affectionately  attached  to  Alida, 
her  servant  had  many  of  the  qualifications  of  a  European  do 
mestic.  Trained  in  all  the  ruses  of  his  profession,  he  was  of 
that  school  which  believes  civilization  is  to  be  measured  by  ar« 


44  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

tifice;  and  success  lost  some  of  its  value  when  it  had  been 
effected  by  the  vulgar  machinery  of  truth  and  common- 
sense.  No  wonder,  then,  the  retainer  entered  into  the 
views  of  the  alderman  with  more  than  a  usual  relish  for 
the  duty.  He  heard  the  cracking  of  the  dried  twigs  be 
neath  the  footstep  of  him  who  followed ;  and,  in  order  that 
there  might  be  no  chance  of  missing  the  desired  interview, 
the  valet  began  to  hum  a  French  air  in  so  loud  a  key  as 
to  be  certain  the  sounds  would  reach  any  ear  that  was 
nigh.  The  twigs  snapped  more  rapidly,  the  footsteps 
seemed  nearer,  and  the  hero  of  the  India  shawl  sprang  to 
the  side  of  the  expecting  Francois. 

The  disappointment  seemed  mutual,  and  on  the  part  of  the 
domestic  it  entirely  disconcerted  all  his  prearranged  schemes 
for  misl-eading  the  commander  of  the  Coquette.  Not  so  with 
the  bold  mariner.  So  far  from  his  self-possession  being  dis 
turbed,  it  would  have  been  no  easy  matter  to  restrain  his  au 
dacity,  even  in  situations  far  more  trying  than  any  in  which  he 
has  yet  been  presented  to  the  reader. 

"  What  cheer  in  thy  woodland  cruise,  Monsieur  Broad-pen 
nant?  "  he  said,  with  infinite  coolness,  the  instant  his  steady 
giance  had  ascertained  they  were  all  alone.  "This  is  safer 
navigation  for  an  officer  of  thy  draught  of  water,  than  running 
about  the  bay  in  a  periagua.  What  may  be  the  longitude, 
and  whereaway  did  you  part  company  from  the  consorts  ?  " 

"Sair,  I  valk  in  de  vood  for  de  plaisir,  and  I  go  on  de  bay 
for  de — parbleu,  non  !  'tis  to  follow  ma  jeune  maitresse  I  go 
on  de  bay ;  and,  sair,  I  wish  dey  who  do  love  de  bay  and  de 
sea,  would  not  come  into  de  vood,  du  tout." 

"Well  spoken,  and  with  ample  spirit;  what,  a  student, 
too  !  one  in  a  wood  should  glean  something  from  his  labors. 
Is  it  the  art  of  furling  a  mam  cue  that  is  taught  in  this  pretty 
volume  ? ' ' 

As  the  mariner  put  his  question,  he  very  deliberately  took 
the  book  from  Francois,  who,  instead  of  resenting  the  liberty, 
rather  offered  the  volume  in  exultation. 

"  No,  sair,  it  is  not  how  to  furl  la  cue,  but  how  to  touch  de 
soul ;  not  de  art  to  haul  over  de  calm,  but — oui,  c'est  plein  de 
connoissance  et  d'esprit  !  Ah  !  ah  !  you  know  de  Cid  !  le 
grand  homme  !  Phomme  de  genie!  If  you  read,  Monsieur 
Marin,  you  shall  see  la  vraie  po£sie  !  Not  de  big  book  and 
no  single  rhyme.  Sair,  I  do  not  vish  to  say  vat  ispenible, 
mais  it  is  not  one  book  widout  rhyme ;  it  was  not  e"crit  on  de 
sea.  Le  diable  !  que  le  vrai  genie,  et  les  nobles  sentiments, 
SP  trouvent  dans'ce  livre,  la  1  " 


THE  WATER-WiTCii.  4f 

*  Ay,  I  see  it  is  a  log-book  for  every  man  to  note  nis  mind 
in.  I  return  you  Master  Cid,  with  his  fine  sentiments  in  the 
bargain.  Great  as  was  his  genius,  it  would  seem  he  was  not 
the  man  to  write  all  that  I  find  between  the  leaves." 

"  He  not  write  him  all !  Yes,  sair,  he  shall  writ  him  six 
time  more  dan  all,  if  la  France  a  besoin.  Que  j'envie  de  ces 
Anglais  se  decouvre  quand  on  parle  des  beaux  genies  de  la 
France !  " 

"  I  will  only  say,  if  the  gentleman  wrote  the  whole  that  is 
in  the  book,  and  it  is  as  fine  as  you  would  make  a  plain  sea 
faring  man  believe,  he  did  wrong  not  to  print  it." 

"  Print  !  "  echoed  Francois,  opening  his  eyes  and  the  vol 
ume,  by  a  common  impulse.  "  Imprime  !  ha  !  here  is  papier 
fif  Mam'selle  Alide  assurement." 

"Take  better  heed  of  it,  then,"  interrupted  the  seaman  of 
the  shawl.  "  As  for  your  Cid,  to  me  it  is  a  useless  volume, 
since  it  teaches  neither  the  latitude  of  a  shoal  nor  the  shape  of 
a  coast." 

"Sair,  it  teach  de  morale;  de  rock  of  de  passion  et  less 
grands  mouvements  de  Tame!  Oui,  sair;  it  teach  all  un 
monsieur  vish  to  know.  Tout  le  monde  read  him  in  la  France  ; 
en  province  comme  en  ville.  If  sa  majeste  le  Grand  Louis  be 
not  so  mal  avise  as  to  chasser  messieurs  les  Huguenots  from 
his  royaume,  I  shall  go  to  Paris  to  hear  le  Cid,  moi-meme  !  " 

"  A  good  journey  to  you,  Monsieur  Queue.  We  may  meet 
on  the  road,  until  which  time  I  take  my  departure.  The  day 
may  come  when  we  shall  converse  with  a  rolling  sea  beneath 
us.  Till  then,  brave  cheer  !  " 

"Adieu,  monsieur,"  returned  Francois,  bowing  with  a  po 
liteness  that  had  become  too  familiar  to  be  forgotten.  "If 
we  do  not  meet  but  in  de  sea,  we  shall  not  meet  nevair. 
Ah,  ha,  ha !  Monsieur  le  Marin  n'aime  pas  a  entendre  parler 
de  la  gloire  de  la  France  !  Je  voudrais  bien  savoir  lire  ce 
f— e  Shak-a-spear,  pour  voir  combien  rimmortel  Corneille 
lui  est  superieur.  Ma  foi,  oui ;  Monsieur  Pierre  Corneille 
cst  vraiment  un  homme  illustre  !  " 

The  faithful,  self-complacent,  and  aged  valet,  then  pursued 
his  way  toward  the  large  oak  on  the  bluff;  for,  as  he  ceased 
speaking,  the  mariner  of  the  gay  sash  had  turned  deeper  into 
the  woods,  and  left  him  alone.  Proud  of  the  manner  in  which 
he  had  met  the  audacity  of  the  stranger,  prouder  still  cf  tiie 
reputation  of  the  author,  whose  fame  had  been  known  in 
France  long  before  his  own  departure  from  Europe,  and  not  a 
little  consoled  with  the  reflection  that  he  had  contributed  hi* 


46  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

mite  to  support  the  honor  of  his  distant  and  well-beloved  coun 
try,  the  honest  Francois  pressed  the  volume  affectionately  be 
neath  his  arm,  and  hastened  on  after  his  mistress. 

Though  the  position  of  Staten  Island  and  the  surrounding 
bays  is  so  familiar  to  the  Manhattanese,  an  explanation  of  the 
localities  may  be  agreeable  to  readers  who  dwell  at  a  distance 
from  the  scene  of  the  tale. 

It  has  already  been  said  that  the  principal  communication 
oetween  the  bays  of  Raritan  and  York  is  called  the  Narrows. 
At  the  mouth  of  this  passage,  the  land  on  Staten  Island  rises 
in  a  high  bluff,  which  overhangs  the  water,  not  unlike  the  tale- 
fraught  cape  of  Misenum.  From  this  elevated  point,  the  eye 
not  only  commands  a  view  of  both  estuaries  and  the  city,  but 
it  looks  far  beyond  the  point  of  Sandy  Hook  into  the  open 
sea.  It  is  here  that,  in  our  own  days,  ships  are  first  noted  in 
the  offing,  and  whence  the  news  of  the  approach  of  his  vessel 
is  communicated  to  the  expecting  merchant  by  means  of  the 
telegraph.  In  the  early  part  of  the  last  century,  arrivals  were 
too  rare  to  support  such  an  establishment.  The  bluff  was 
^herefore  little  resorted  to,  except  by  some  occasional  admirer 
of  scenery,  or  by  those  countrymen  whom  business,  at  long 
intervals,  drew  to  the  spot.  It  had  been  early  cleared  of  its 
wood,  and  the  oak  already  mentioned  was  the  only  tree  stand 
ing  in  a  space  of  some  ten  or  a  dozen  acres. 

It  has  been  seen  that  Alderman  Van  Beverout  had  appointed 
this  solitary  oak  as  the  place  of  rendezvous  with  Francois. 
Thither,  then,  he  took  his  way  on  parting  from  the  valet,  and 
to  this  spot  we  must  now  transfer  the  scene.  A  rude  seat  had 
been  placed  around  the  root  of  the  tree,  and  here  the  whole 
party,  with  the  exception  of  the  absent  domestic,  were  soon 
seated.  In  a  minute,  however,  they  were  joined  by  the  exult 
ing  Frangois,  who  immediately  related  the  particulars  of  his 
recent  interview  with  the  stranger. 

"  A  clear  conscience,  with  cordial  friends,  and  a  fair  bal 
ance-sheet,  may  keep  a  man  warm  in  January,  even  in  this 
climate,"  said  the  alderman,  willing  to  turn  the  discourse ; 
"  but  what  with  rebellious  blacks,  hot  streets,  and  spoiling 
iurs,  it  passeth  mortal  powers  to  keep  cool  in  yonder  over 
grown  and  crowded  town.  Thou  seest,  patroon,  the  spot  of 
white  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  bay. — Breezes  and  fanning  ! 
that  is  the  Lust  and  Rust,  where  cordial  enters  the  mouth  at 
every  breath,  and  where  a  man  has  room  to  cast  up  the  sum 
total  of  his  thoughts  any  hour  in  the  twenty-four." 

•'  We  seem  quite  as  effectually  alone  on  this  hill,  with  th» 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  47 

advantage  of  having  a  city  in  the  view,"  remarked  Alida,  with 
an  emphasis  that  showed  she  meant 'even  more  than  she  ex 
pressed. 

"  We  are  by  ourselves,  niece  of  mine,"  returned  the  alder 
man,  rubbing  his  hands  as  if  he  secretly  felicitated  himself 
that  the  facts  were  so.  "  That  truth  cannot  be  denied,  and 
good  company  we  are,  though  the  opinion  comes  from  one  who 
is  not  a  cipher  in  the  party.  Modesty  is  a  poor  man's  wealth  ; 
but  as  we  grow  substantial  in  the  world,  patroon,  one  can 
afford  to  begin  to  speak  truth  of  himself  as  well  as  of  his 
neighbor." 

"  In  which  case,  little  but  good  will  be  uttered  from  the 
mouth  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout,"  said  Ludlow,  appearing 
so  suddenly  from  behind  the  root  of  the  tree,  as  effectually  to 
shut  the  mouth  of  the  burglar.  "  My  desire  to  offer  the 
services  of  the  ship  to  your  party  has  led  to  this  abrupt  intru 
sion,  and  I  hope  will  obtain  its  pardon." 

"  The  power  to  forgive  is  a  prerogative  of  the  governor,  who 
represents  the  queen,"  dryly  returned  the  alderman.  "  If  her 
majesty  has  so  little  employment  for  her  cruisers,  that  their 
captains  can  dispose  of  them  in  behalf  of  old  men  and  young 
maidens — why,  happy  is  the  age,  and  commerce  should 
flourish  !  " 

"  If  the  two  duties  are  compatible,  the  greater  the  reason 
why  a  commander  should  felicitate  himself  that  he  may  be  of 
service  to  so  many.  You  are  bound  to  the  Jersey  Highlands, 
Mr.  Van  Beverout  ?  " 

"I  am  bound  to  a  comfortable  and  very  private  abode 
called  the  Lust  in  Rust,  Captain  Cornelius  Van  Cuylet 
Ludlow." 

The  young  man  bit  his  lip,  and  his  healthful  but  bro*vn 
cheek  flushed  a  deeper  red  than  common,  though  he  preserved 
his  composure. 

"  And  I  am  bound  to  sea,"  he  soon  said.  "  The  wind  is 
getting  fresh,  and  your  boat,  which  I  see  at  this  moment  stand 
ing  in  for  the  island,  will  find  it  difficult  to  make  way  against 
its  force.  The  Coquette's  anchor  will  be  aweigh  in  twenty 
minutes,  and  I  shall  find  two  hours  of  an  ebbing  tide,  and  a 
top-gallant  breeze,  but  too  short  a  time  for  the  pleasure  of  en 
tertaining  such  guests.  I  am  certain  that  the  fears  of  la  Belle 
will  favor  my  wishes  whichsoever  side  of  the  question  her  in 
clination  may  happen  to  be." 

"  And  they  are  with  her  uncle,"  quickly  returned  Alida 


48  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

**  I  am  so  little  of  a  sailor  that  prudence,  if  not  pusillanimity; 
teaches  me  to  depend  on  the  experience  of  older  heads." 

"  Older  I  may  not  pretend  to  be,"  said  Ludlow,  coloring; 
"but  Mr.  Van  Beverout  will  see  no  pretension  in  believing 
myself  as  good  a  judge  of  wind  and  tide  as  even  he  himself 
can  be." 

"  You  are  said  to  command  her  majesty's  sloop  with  skill, 
Captain  Ludlow,  and  it  is  creditable  to  the  colony  that  it  has 
produced  so  good  an  officer ;  though  I  believe  your  grand 
father  came  into  the  province  so  lately  as  on  the  restoration  of 
King  Charles  II.  ?  " 

"  We  cannot  claim  descent  from  the  United  Provinces,  Al 
derman  Van  Beverout,  on  the  paternal  side;  but,  whatever 
may  have  been  the  political  opinions  of  my  grandfather,  those 
of  his  descendant  have  never  been  questioned.  Let  me  entreat 
the  fair  Alida  to  take  counsel  of  the  apprehension  I  dm  sure 
she  feels,  and  to  persuade  her  uncle  that  the  Coquette  is  safer 
than  his  periagua." 

."  It  is  said  to  be  easier  to  enter  than  to  quit  your  ship,"  re 
turned  the  laughing  Alida.  "  By  certain  symptoms  that  at 
tended  our  passage  to  the  island,  your  Coquette,  like  others,  is 
fond  of  conquests.  One  is  not  safe  beneath  so  malign  an 
influence." 

"  This  is  a  reputation  given  by  our  enemies.  I  had  hoped 
for  a  different  answer  from  la  belle  Barberie." 

The  close  of  the  sentence  was  uttered  with  an  emphasis  that 
caused  the  blood  to  quicken  its  movement  in  the  veins  of  the 
maiden.  It  was  fortunate  that  neither  of  their  companions 
was  very  observant,  or  else  suspicions  might  have  been  excited 
that  a  better  intelligence  existed  between  the  young  sailor  and 
the  heiress,  than  would  have  comported  with  their  wishes  and 
intentions. 

"  I  had  hoped  for  a  different  answer  from  la  belle  Barbaric/* 
repeated  Ludlow,  in  a  lower  voice,  but  with  even  a  still  more 
emphatic  tone  than  before. 

There  was  evidently  a  struggle  in  the  mind  of  Alida.  She 
overcame  it  before  her  confusion  could  be  noted  ;  and  turning 
to  the  valet  she  said,  with  the  composure  and  grac*  that  be 
came  a  gentlewoman : 

"  Rends  moi  le  livre,  Francois." 

"  Le  voici — ah  !  ma  chere  mam'selle  Alide,  que  ce  monsieur 
le  marin  se  fachait  a  cause  de  la  gloire,  et  des  beaux  vers  dc 
ootre  illustre  M.  Pierre  Corneille  !  " 

"  Here  is  an  English  sailor  that  I  am  sure  will  not  deny  the 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  49 

merit  of  an  admired  writer,  even  though  he  come  of  a  nation 
that  is  commonly  thought  hostile,  Francois,"  returned  his  mis 
tress,  smiling. — "  Captain  Ludlow,  it  is  now  a  month  since  I 
am  your  debtor,  by  promise,  for  a  volume  of  Corneille,  and  I 
here  acquit  myself  of  the  obligation.  When  you  have  perused 
the  contents  of  this  book,  with  the  attention  they  deserve,  I 
may  hope — " 

"  For  a  speedy  opinion  of  their  merits." 

"  I  was  about  to  say.  to  receive  the  volume  again,  as  it  is  a 
legacy  from  my  father,"  steadily  rejoined  Alida. 

"  Legacies  and  foreign  tongues  !  "  muttered  the  alderman. 
"  One  is  well  enough  ;  but  for  the  other,  English  and  Dutch 
are  all  that  the  wisest  man  need  learn.  I  never  could  under 
stand  an  account  of  profit  a»4  loss  in  any  other  tongue,  pa- 
troon  ;  and  even  a  favorable  balance  never  appears  so  great  as 
it  is,  unless  the  account  be  rendered  in  one  or  the  other  of 
these  rational  dialects.  Captain  Ludlow,  we  thank  you  for 
your  politeness,  but  here  is  one  of  my  fellows  to  tell  us  that 
my  own  periagua  is  arrived ;  ar>4,  wishing  you  a  happy  and  a 
long  cruise,  as  we  say  of  lives,  1  bid  you  adieu." 

The  young  seaman  returned  the  salutations  of  the  party, 
with  a  better  grace  than  his  previous  solicitude  to  persuade 
them  to  enter  his  ship  might  have  given  reason  to  expect.  He 
even  saw  them  descend  the  hilJ,  toward  the  water  of  the  outer 
bay,  with  entire  composure ;  and  it  was  only  after  they  had 
entered  a  thicket  which  hid  them  from  view,  that  he  permitted 
his  feelings  to  have  sway. 

Then,  indeed,  he  drew  the  volume  from  his  pocket  and 
opened  its  leaves  with  an  eagerness  he  could  no  longer  control. 
It  seemed  as  if  he  expected  to  read  more,  in  the  pages,  than 
the  author  had  caused  to  be  placed  there ;  but  when  his  eye 
caught  sight  of  a  sealed  billet,  the  legacy  of  M.  de  Barberie 
fell  at  his  feet :  and  the  paper  was  torn  asunder,  with  all  the 
anxiety  of  one  who  expected  to  find  in  its  contents  a  decree  of 
life  or  death. 

Amazement  was  clearly  the  first  emotion  of  the  young  sea* 
man.  He  read  and  reread  ;  struck  his  brow  with  his  hand  ; 
gazed  about  him  at  the  land  and  at  the  water ;  reperused  the 
note ;  examined  the  superscription,  which  was  simply  to 
"Captain  Ludlow,  of  her  majesty's  ship  Coquette;  "  smiled ; 
muttered  between  his  teeth ;  seemed  vexed,  yet  delighted ; 
read  the  note  again  word  by  word,  and  finally  thrust  it  into  his 
pocket,  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  had  found  reason  for  both 
regret  and  satisfaction  in  its  contents. 


THE   WATER-WITCH. 


CHAPTER  VL 
«  What,  has  this  thing  appeared  again,  to-night? ' 


HAMLET 


"  THE  face  of  man  is  the  log-book  of  his  thoughts,  and 
Captain  Ludlow's  seem  agreeable,"  observed  a  voice,  that  came 
from  one  who  was  not  far  from  the  commander  of  the 
Coquette,  while  the  latter  was  still  enacting  the  pantomime  de 
scribed  in  the  close  of  the  preceding  chapter. 

'  '  Who  speaks  of  thoughts  and  log-books,  or  who  dares  to 
pry  into  my  movements?"  demanded  the  young  sailor, 
fiercely. 

"  One  who  has  trifled  with  the  first  and  scribled  in  the  last 
too  often,  not  to  know  how  to  meet  a  squall,  whether  it  be 
seen  in  the  clouds  or  only  on  the  face  of  man.  As  for  looking 
into  your  movements,  Captain  Ludlow,  I  have  watched  too 
many  big  ships  in  my  time,  to  turn  aside  at  each  light  cruiser 
that  happens  to  cross  my  course.  I  hope,  sir,  you  have  an 
answer;  every  hail  has  its  right  to  a  civil  reply." 

Ludlow  could  scarce  believe  his  senses,  when,  on  turning  to 
face  the  intruder,  he  saw  himself  confronted  by  the  audacious 
eye  and  calm  mien  of  the  mariner  who  had,  once  before  that 
morning,  braved  his  resentment.  Curbing  his  indignation, 
however,  the  young  man  endeavored  to  emulate  the  coolness 
which,  notwithstanding  his  inferior  condition,  imparted  to  the 
air  of  the  other  something  that  was  imposing,  if  it  were  not 
absolutely  authoritative.  Perhaps  the  singularity  of  the  ad 
venture  aided  in  effecting  an  object,  that  was  a  little  difficult 
of  attainment  in  one  accustomed  to  receive  so  much  habitual 
deference  from  most  of  those  who  made  the  sea  their  home. 
Swallowing  his  resentment,  the  young  commander  answered  : 

"  He  that  knows  how  to  face  his  enemies  with  spirit,  may 
be  accounted  sufficiently  bold ;  but  he  who  braves  the  anger 
of  his  friend  is  foolhardy." 

"And  he  who  does  neither  is  wiser  than  both,"  rejoined 
the  reckless  hero  of  the  sash.  "  Captain  Ludlow,  we  meet  on 
equal  terms,  at  present,  and  the  parley  may  be  managed  with 
some  freedom." 

' '  Equality  is  a  word  that  ill  applies  to  men  of  stations  M 
different" 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  5  2 

"Of  our  stations  and  duties  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak.  1 
hope  that,  when  the  proper  time  shall  come,  both  may  be 
found  ready  to  be  at  the  first,  and  equal  to  discharge  the  last. 
But  Captain  Ludlow,  backed  by  the  broadside  of  the  Coquette 
and  the  cross-fire  of  his  marines,  is  not  Captain  Ludlow  alone, 
on  a  sea-bluff,  with  a  crutch  no  better  than  his  own  arm,  and 
a  stout  heart.  As  the  first/  he  is  like  a  spar  supported  by 
backstays  and  forestays,  braces  and  standing  rigging ;  while 
as  the  latter,  he  is  the  stick,  which  keeps  its  head  aloft  by  the 
soundness  and  quality  of  its  timber  You  have  the  appearance 
of  one  who  can  go  alone,  even  thouch  it  blew  heavier  than  at 
present,  if  one  may  judge  of  the  force  of  the  breeze,  by  the 
manner  it  presses  on  the  sails  of  yonder  boat  in  the  bay." 

"  Yonder  boat  begins  to  feel  the  wind,  truly  !  "  said  Lud 
low,  suddenly  losing  all  other  interest  in  the  appearance  of  the 
periagua  which  held  Alida  and  her  friends,  and  which,  at  that 
instant,  shot  out  from  beneath  the  cover  of  the  hill  into  the 
broad  opening  of  Raritan  Bay.  ' '  What  think  you  of  the 
time,  my  friend?  a  man  of  your  years  should  speak  with 
knowledge  of  the  weather." 

"  Women  and  winds  are  only  understood,  when  fairly  in 
motion,"  returned  he  of  the  sash;  "now,  any  mortal  who 
consulted  comfort  and  the  skies,  would  have  preferred  a  pas 
sage  in  her  majesty's  ship  Coquette,  to  one  in  yonder  dancing 
periagua ;  yet  the  fluttering  silk  we  see  in  the  boat,  tells  us 
there  is  one  who  has  thought  otherwise." 

"  You  are  a  man  of  singular  intelligence,"  cried  Ludlow, 
again  facing  the  intruder ;  "  as  well  as  one  of  singular — " 

"Effrontery,"  rejoined  the  other,  observing  that  the  com 
mander  hesitated.  "Let  the  commissioned  officer  of  the 
queen  speak  boldly  ;  I  am  no  better  than  a  top-man,  or  at 
most  a  quartermaster." 

"  I  wish  to  say  nothing  disagreeable,  but  I  find  your  knowl 
edge  of  my  offer  to  convey  the  lady  and  her  friends  to  the  resi* 
dence  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout  a  little  surprising." 

"And  I  see  nothing  to  wonder  at,  in  your  offer  to  convey 
the  lady  anywhere,  though  the  liberality  to  her  friends  is  not 
an  act  of  so  clear  explanation.  When  ,young  men  speak  from 
the  heart,  their  words  are  not  uttered  in  whispers." 

"  Which  would  imply  that  you  overheard  our  conversation. 
I  believe  it,  for  here  is  cover  at  hand  to  conceal  you.  {t  may 
be,  sir,  that  you  have  eyes  as  well  as  ears." 

"I  confess  to  have  seen  your  countenance  changing  sides, 
like  a  member  of  Parliament  turning  to  a  new  leaf  in  his  con* 


f2  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

science  at  the  minister's  signal,  while  you  cTe*Uaul*d  *  bit  of 
paper — " 

"  Whose  contents  you  could  not  know  !  " 

"  Whose  contents  I  took  to  be  sorr,e  nsirate  orders,  given  by 
a  lady  who  is  too  much  cf  a.  coouette  herself,  to  accept  your 
cffer  to  sail  in  a  vessel  c*f  <n^  same  name." 

"  By  Heavens,  the  fellow  has  reason  in  his  inexplicable  im 
pudence  !''  irmt'ce-ved  Ludlow,  pacing  backward  and  forward 
ieneath  the  s'r^dow  of  the  tree.  ' <  The  language  and  the  acts 
of  the  $i*l  me  in  contradiction  ;  and  I  am  a  fool  to  be  trifled 
With,  li^e  a,  midshipman  fre&n  broken  loose  from  his  mother's 
aprQi.'-fctring.  Harkee,  Master-a-a — You've  a  name,  I  sup- 
*G>*?,  like  any  other  straggler  on  the  ocean." 

"  Yes.  When  the  hail  is  loud  enough  to  be  heard,  I  an- 
•wer  to  the  call  of  Thomas  Tiller." 

"Well,  then,  Master  Tiller,  so  clever  a  seaman  should  be 
glad  to  serve  the  queen." 

"  Were  it  not  for  duty  to  another,  whose  claim  comes  first, 
nothing  could  be  more  agreeable  to  me  than  to  lend  a  lady  in 
distress  a  heiping  hand." 

"  And  who  is  he,  who  may  prefer  a  claim  to  your  services, 
In  competition  with  the  majesty  of  these  realms?  "  demanded 
Ludlow,  with  a  little  of  the  pretension  that,  when  speaking  of 
its  privileges,  is  apt  to  distinguish  ihe  manner  of  one  who  has 
been  accustomed  to  regard  royalty  with  reverence. 

"  Myself.  When  our  affairs  call  us  the  same  way,  no  one 
can  be  readier  than  I,  to  keep  her  majesty's  company ;  but — " 

"This  is  presuming  too  far,  on  the  trifling  of  a  moment," 
interrupted  Ludlow;  "  you  know,  sirrah,  that  I  have  the  right 
to  command  your  services,  without  entering  into  a  parley  for 
them  ;  and  which,  notwithstanding  your  gay  appearance,  may 
after  all  be  little  worth  the  trouble. ' ' 

"There  is  no  need  to  push  matters  to  extremity  between  us. 
Captain  Ludlow,"  resumed  the  stranger,  who  had  appeared  to 
muse  for  a  moment.  "  If  I  have  baffled  your  pursuit  once  to 
day,  it  was  perhaps  to  make  my  merit  in  entering  the  ship 
freely,  less  undeniable.  We  are  here  alone,  and  your  honor 
will  account  it  no  boasting  if  I  say  that  a  man,  well-limbed 
and  active,  who  stands  six  feet  between  plank  and  carline,  is 
Hot  likely  to  be  led  against  his  will,  like  a  yawl  towing  at  the 
Stern  of  a  four-and-forty.  I  am  a  seaman,  sir;  and,  though 
the  ocean  is  my  home,  I  never  venture  on  it  without  sufficient 
footing.  Look  abroad  from  this  hill,  and  say  whether  there 
«s  any  craft  in  view,  except  the  cruiser  of  the  queen,  which 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  53 

*»uld  be  likely  to  suit  the  taste  of  a  mariner  of  the  long  voy» 
age?" 

' '  By  which  you  would  have  me  understand,  you  are  here  in 
quest  of  service?  " 

"  Nothing  less  ;  and,  though  the  opinion  of  a  foremast  Jack 
may  be  of  little  value,  you  will  not  be  displeased  to  hear  that 
I  might  look  farther  without  finding  a  prettier  sea-boat,  or  a 
swifter,  than  the  one  which  sails  under  your  own  orders.  A 
seaman  of  your  station,  Captain  Ludlow,  is  not  .now  to  learn 
that  a  man  speaks  differently,  while  his  name  is  his  own,  and 
after  he  has  given  it  away  to  the  crown  :  and  therefore  I  hope 
my  present  freedom  will  not  be  long  remembered." 

"  I  have  met  men  of  your  humor  before,  my  friend,  and  I 
have  not  now  to  learn  that  a  thorough  man-of-war's  man  is  as 
impudent  on  shore  as  he  is  obedient  afloat.  Is  that  a  sail,  in 
the  offing,  or  is  it  the  wing  of  a  sea-fowl,  glittering  in  the 
sun?" 

"It  may  be  either,"  observed  the  audacious  mariner,  turn 
ing  his  eyes  leisurely  toward  the  open  ocean,  "  for  we  have  a 
wide  lookout  from  this  windy  bluff.  Here  are  gulls  sporting 
above  the  waves,  that  turn  their  feathers  toward  the  light." 

"Look  more  seaward.  That  spot  of  shining  white  should 
be  the  canvas  of  some  craft,  hovering  in  the  offing  !  M 

"  Nothing  more  probable,  in  so  light  a  breeze.  Your  coast* 
ere  are  in  and  out,  like  water-rats  on  a  wharf,  at  any  hour  of 
the  twenty-four — and  yet  to  me  it  seems  the  comb  of  a  break* 
ing  sea." 

"  'Tis  snow-white  duck  ;  such  as  your  swift  rover  wears  on 
his  loftier  spars  !  " 

"  A  duck  that  is  flown,"  returned  the  stranger,  dryly,  "  for 
it  is  no  longer  to  be  seen.  These  flyaways,  Captain  Ludlow, 
give  us  seamen  many  sleepless  nights  and  idle  chases.  I  was 
once  running  down  the  coast  of  Italy,  between  the  island  of 
Corsica  and  the  main,  when  one  of  these  delusions  beset  the 
crew,  ii  a  manner  that  hath  taught  me  to  put  little  faith  in 
eyes,  unless  backed  by  a  clear  horizon  and  a  cool  head." 

"I'll  hear  the  circumstance,"  said  Ludlow,  withdrawing 
nis  gaze  from  the  distant  ocean,  like  one  who  was  satisfied  hi& 
senses  had  been  deceived.  "What  of  this  marvel  of  th& 
Italian  seas?  " 

"A  marvel  truly,  as  your  honor  will  confess,  when  I  read 
you  the  affair,  much  in  the  words  I  had  it  logged,  for  ths 
knowledge  of  all  concerned.  It  was  the  last  hour  of  the  sec 
ond  dog-watch,  on  Easter  Sunday,  with  the  wind  here  at  south- 


54  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

east-easterly.  A  light  air  filled  the  upper  canvas,  and  just  gav« 
us  command  of  the  ship.  The  mountains  of  Corsica,  with  Monte 
Christo  and  Elba,  had  all  been  sunk  some  hours,  and  we  were 
on  the  yards,  keeping  a  lookout  for  a  landfall  on  the  Roman 
coast.  A  low,  thick  bank  of  drifting  fog  lay  along  the  sea,  in 
shore  of  us,  which  all  believed  to  be  the  sweat  of  the  land,  and 
thought  no  more  of;  though  none  wished  to  enter  it,  for  that 
is  a  coast  where  foul  airs  arise,  and  through  which  the  gulls 
and  land-birds  refuse  to  fly.  Well,  here  we  lay,  the  mainsail 
in  the  brails,  the  topsails  beating  the  mast-heads,  like  a  maiden 
fanning  herself  when  she  sees  her  lover,  and  nothing  full  but 
the  upper  deck,  with  the  sun  fairly  below  the  water  in  the 
western  board.  I  was  then  young,  and  quick  of  eye,  as  of 
foot,  and  therefore  among  the  first  to  see  the  sight !  " 

"Which  was — ?"  said  Ludlow,  interested  in  spite  of  his 
assumed  air  of  indifference. 

"  Why,  here  just  above  the  bank  of  foul  air,  that  ever  rests 
on  that  coast,  there  was  seen  an  object,  that  looked  like  ribs 
of  bright  light,  as  if  a  thousand  stars  had  quitted  their  usual 
berths  in  the  heaven,  to  warn  us  off  the  land  by  a  supernatural 
beacon.  The  sight  was  in  itself  altogether  out  of  nature  and 
surprising.  As  the  night  thickened,  it  grew  brighter  and  more 
glowing,  as  if  'twere  meant  in  earnest  to  warn  us  from  the 
coast.  But  when  the  word  was  passed  to  send  the  glasses 
aloft,  there  was  seen  a  glittering  cross  on  high,  and  far  above 
the  spars  on  which  earthly  ships  carry  their  private  signals." 

"This  was  indeed  extraordinary  1  and  what  did  you,  to 
come  at  the  character  of  the  heavenly  symbol !  " 

' '  We  were  off-shore,  and  left  it  a  clear  berth  for  bolder 
mariners.  Glad  enough  was  I  to  see,  with  the  morning  sun, 
the  snowy  hills  of  Corsica  again  !  " 

"And  the  appearance  of  that  object  was  never  explained  ?  " 

"Nor  ever  will  be.  I  have  since  spoke  with  the  mariners 
of  that  sea  concerning  the  sight,  but  never  found  any  who 
could  pretend  to  have  seen  it.  There  was  indeed  one  bold 
enough  to  say,  there  is  a  church,  far  inland,  of  height  and 
magnitude  sufficient  to  be  seen  some  leagues  at  sea,  and  that, 
favored  by  our  position  and  the  mists  that  hung  above  the  low 
grounds,  we  had  seen  its  upper  works,  looming  above  the  fogs, 
and  lighted  for  some  brilliant  ceremony;  but  we  were  all  too 
old  in  seaman's  experience  to  credit  so  wild  a  tale.  I  know 
not  but  a  church  may  loom,  as  well  as  a  hill  or  a  ship;  but  he 
who  pretends  to  say  that  the  hands  of  man  can  thus  pile  stones 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  55 

among  the  clouds,  should  be  certain  of  believers,  ere  he  pushes 
the  tale  too  far." 

"Your  narrative  is  extraordinary,  and  the  marvel  should 
have  been  looked  into  closer.  It  may  truly  have  been  a 
church,  for  there  stands  afi  edifice  at  Rome,  which  towers  to 
treble  the  height  of  a  cruiser's  masts." 

"  Having  rarely  troubled  churches,  I  know  not  why  a 
church  should  trouble  me,"  said  the  mariner  of  the  sash> 
while  he  turned  his  back  on  the  ocean,  as  if  indisposed  to  re 
gard  the  waste  of  water  longer.  "  It  is  now  twelve  years  since 
that  sight  was  seen,  and,  though  a  seaman  of  many  voyages, 
rny  eyes  have  not  looked  upon  the  Roman  coast  from  that  hour 
to  this.  Will  your  honor  lead  the  way  from  the  bluff,  as  be 
comes  your  rank?  " 

"  Your  tale  of  the  burning  cross  and  looming  church,  Mas 
ter  Tiller,  had  almost  caused  me  to  forget  to  watch  the  move 
ments  of  yon  periagua,"  returned  Ludlow,  who  still  continued 
to  face  the  bay.  "  That  obstinate  old  Dutchman — I  say,  sir, 
that  Mr.  Alderman  Van  Beverout  has  greater  confidence  in 
this  description  of  craft  than  I  feel  myself.  I  like  not  the 
looks  of  yonder  cloud,  which  is  rising  from  out  the  mouth  of 
Raritan ;  and  here,  seaward,  we  have  a  gloomy  horizon.  By 
Heaven  !  there  is  a  sail  playing  in  the  offing,  or  my  eye  hath 
lost  its  use  and  judgment." 

''Your  honor  sees  the  wing  of  the  sporting  gull  again;  it 
had  been  nigh  to  deceive  my  sight,  which  would  be  to  cheat 
the  lookout  of  a  man  that  has  the  advantage  of  some  ten  or  fif 
teen  years'  more  practice  in  marine  appearances.  I  remember 
once,  when  beating  in  among  the  islands  of  the  China  seas, 
with  the  trades  here  at  southeast — " 

"Enough  of  your  marvels,  friend;  the  church  is  as  much 
as  I  can  swallow,  in  one  morning.— It  may  have  been  a  gull ! 
for  I  confess  the  object  small :  yet  it  had  the  steadiness  and 
size  of  a  distant  sail  !  There  is  some  reason  to  expect  one  on 
our  coast,  for  whom  a  bright  and  seaman's  watch  must  be 
had." 

"This  may  then  leave  me  a  choice  of  ships,"  rejoined 
Tiller.  "  I  thank  your  honor  for  having  spoken,  before  1  had 
given  myself  away  to  the  queen  ;  who  is  a  lady  that  is  much 
more  apt  to  receive  gifts  of  this  nature  than  to  return  them." 

"If  your  respect  aboard  shall  bear  any  proportion  to  youi 
hardihood  on  shore,  you  may  be  accounted  a  model  of  civility! 
But  a  mariner  of  your  pretension  should  have  some  regard  tc 
Ihe  character  of  the  vessel  in  whicn  he  takes  service." 


$6  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

"That  of  which  your  honor  spoke  is,  then,  a  buccaneer?" 

"If  not  a  buccaneer,  one  but  little  better.  A  lawless 
trader,  under  the  most  favorable  view ;  and  there  are  those 
who  think  that  he,  who  has  gone  so  far,  has  not  stopped  short 
of  the  end.  But  the  reputation  of  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas' 
must  be  known  to  one  who  has  navigated  the  ocean,  long  at 
you." 

1 '  You  will  overlook  the  curiosity  of  a  seafaring  man,  in  a 
matter  of  his  profession,"  returned  the  mariner  of  the  sash, 
with  strong  and  evident  interest  in  his  manner.  "  I  am  lately 
from  a  distant  ocean,  and,  though  many  tales  of  the  buc 
caneers  of  the  islands  have  been  narrated,  I  do  not  remember 
to  have  heard  of  that  rover,  before  his  name  came  into  the  dis 
course  between  me  and  the  schipper  of  the  boat  that  plies  be 
tween  this  landing  and  the  city.  I  am  not  altogether  what  I 
seem,  Captain  Ludlow;  and,  when  further  acquaintance  and  hard 
service  shall  have  brought  me  more  before  the  eyes  of  my  com 
mander,  he  may  not  repent  having  induced  a  thorough  seaman 
to  enter  his  ship,  by  a  little  condescension  and  good-nature 
shown  while  the  man  was  still  his  own  master.  Your  honor 
will  take  no  offence  at  my  boldness,  when  I  tell  you  I  should 
be  glad  to  know  more  of  this  unlawful  trader." 

Ludlow  riveted  his  eyes  on  the  unmoved  and  manly  counte 
nance  of  his  companion.  There  was  a  vague  and  undefined 
suspicion  in  the  look ;  but  it  vanished,  as  the  practised  organs 
drank  in  the  assurance,  which  so  much  physical  promise 
afforded,  of  the  aid  of  a  bold  and  active  mariner.  Rather 
amused  than  offended  by  the  freedom  of  the  request,  he  turned 
upon  his  heel,  and  as  they  descended  the  bluff,  on  their  way 
toward  the  place  of  landing,  he  continued  the  dialogue. 

"You  are  truly  from  a  distant  ocean,"  said  the  young  cap 
tain  of  the  Coquette,  smiling  like  a  man  who  apologizes  to 
himself  for  an  act  of  what  he  thought  undue  condescension, 
"  if  the  exploits  of  a  brigantine  known  by  the  name  of  the  Water 
Witch,  and  of  him  who  commands  her,  under  the  fit  appella 
tion  of  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,  have  not  yet  reached  your 
cars.  It  is  now  five  summers  since  orders  have  been  in  the 
colonies  for  the  cruisers  to  be  on  the  alert  to  hunt  the  picaroon ; 
and  it  is  even  said  the  daring  smuggler  has  often  braved  tbi 
pennants  of  the  narrow  seas.  'Twould  be  a  bigger  ship,  if  not 
knighthood,  to  the  lucky  officer  who  should  catch  the 
knave!" 

u  He  must  drive  a  money-gaining  trade  to  run  these  risksi 
and  to  brave  the  efforts  of  so  many  skilful  gentlemen  1  May  I 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  57 

idd  to  a  presumption  that  your  honor  already  finds  too  bold, 
if  one  may  judge  by  a  displeased  eye,  by  asking  if  report 
speaks  to  the  face  and  other  particulars  of  the  person  of  this — • 
free-trader,  one  must  call  him,  though  freebooter  should  be  a 
better  word." 

"What  matters  the  personal  condition  of  a  rogue  !"  said 
Captain  Ludlow,  who  perhaps  remembered  that  the  freedom 
of  their  intercourse  had  been  carried  as  far  as  comported  with 
prudence. 

"  What  matter,  truly  !  I  asked  because  the  description  an 
swers  a  little  to  that  of  a  man  I  once  knew,  in  the  seas  of  far 
ther  India,  and  who  has  long  since  disappeared,  though  no 
one  can  say  whither  he  has  gone.  But  this  Skimmer  of  the 
Seas  is  some  Spaniard  of  the  Main,  or  perhaps  a  Dutchman 
come  from  the  country  that  is  awash,  in  order  to  taste  of  terra 
firma." 

11  Spaniard  of  the  southern  coast  never  carried  so  bold  a  sail 
in  these  seas,  nor  was  there  ever  known  a  Dutchman  with  so 
light  a  heel.  The  fellow  is  said  to  laugh  at  the  swiftest  cruiser 
out  of  England  !  As  to  his  figure,  I  have  heard  little  good  of 
it.  'Tis  said  he  is  some  soured  officer  of  better  days,  who  has 
quitted  the  intercourse  of  honest  men,  because  roguery  is  so 
plainly  written  on  his  face  that  he  vainly  tries  to  hide  it." 

"  Mine  was  a  proper  man,  and  one  that  need  not  have  been 
ashamed  to  show  his  countenance  among  his  fellows,"  said  he 
of  the  sash.  "This  cannot  be  the  same,  if  indeed  there  be 
any  on  the  coast.  Is't  known,  your  honor,  that  the  man  is 
truly  here?" 

"  So  goes  a  rumor;  though  so  many  idle  tales  have  led  me 
before  to  seek  the  smuggler  where  he  was  not,  that  I  give  but 
little  faith  to  the  report. — The  periagua  has  the  wind  more  at 
west,  and  the  cloud  in  the  mouth  of  the  Raritan  is  breaking 
into  scud.  The  alderman  will  have  a  lucky  run  of  it !  " 

1 '  And  the  gulls  have  gone  more  seaward — a  certain  sign  of 
pleasant  weather,"  returned  the  other,  glancing  a  quick  but 
keen  look  over  the  horizon,  in  the  offing.  t(  I  believe  our 
rover,  with  his  light  duck,  has  taken  flight  among  them !  " 

"We  will  then  go  in  pursuit.  My  ship  is  bound  to  sea ; 
and  it  is  time,  Master  Tiller,  that  I  know  in  what  berth  you 
are  willing  to  serve  the  queen." 

"God  bless  her  majesty!  Anne  is  a.  royal  lady,  and  she 
had  a  lord  high -admiral  for  her  husband.  As  for  a  berth,  sir, 
one  always  wishes  to  be  captain,  even  though  he  may  be  com* 


58  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Delled  to  eat  his  rations  in  the  lee-scuppers.  I  suppose  the 
tirst-lieutenancy  is  filled  to  your  honor's  liking?  " 

"Sirrah,  this  is  trifling;  one  of  your  years  and  experience 
need  not  be  told  that  commissions  are  obtained  by  service." 

"  Under  favor  ;  I  confess  the  error.  Captain  Ludlow,  you 
are  a  man  of  honor,  and  will  not  deceive  a  sailor  who  puts 
trust  in  your  word." 

"  Sailor  or  landsman,  he  is  safe  who  has  the  gage." 

"  Then,  sir,  I  ask  it.  Suffer  me  to  enter  your  ship ;  to 
look  into  my  future  messmates,  and  to  judge  of  their  charac 
ters  ;  to  see  if  the  vessel  suits  my  humor ;  and  then  to  quit 
her,  if  I  find  it  convenient." 

"  Fellow,"  said  Ludlow,  *'  this  impudence  almost  surpass- 
eth  patience  ! " 

"  The  request  is  reasonable,  as  can  be  shown,"  gravely  re 
turned  the  unknown  mariner.  "  Now,  Captain  Ludlow  of  the 
Coquette  would  gladly  tie  himself,  for  better  for  worse,  to  a 
fair  lady  who  has  lately  gone  on  the  water,  and  yet  there  -are 
thousands  who  might  be  had  with  less  difficulty." 

"  Still  deeper  and  deeper  in  thy  effrontery  !  And  what  if 
this  be  true  ?  " 

"  Sir,  a  ship  is  a  seaman's  mistress — nay,  when  fairly  under 
a  pennant,  with  a  war  declared,  he  may  be  said  to  be  wedded 
to  her,  lawfully  or  not.  He  becomes  '  bone  of  her  bone,  and 
flesh  of  her  flesh,  until  death  doth  them  part.'  To  such  a  long 
compact  there  should  be  liberty  of  choice.  Has  not  your  mar 
iner  a  taste  as  well  as  your  lover?  The  harpings  and  counter 
of  his  ship  are  the  waist  and  shoulders ;  the  rigging,  the  ring 
lets  ;  the  cut  and  fit  of  the  sails,  the  fashion  of  the  millinery  ; 
the  guns  are  always  called  the  teeth,  and  her  paint  is  the  blush 
and  bloom  !  Here  is  a  matter  of  choice,  sir  ;  and,  without 
leave  to  make  it,  I  must  wish  your  honor  a  happy  cruise,  and 
the  queen  a  better  servitor." 

"  Why,  Master  Tiller,"  cried  Ludlow,  laughing.  "  you 
trust  too  much  to  these  stunted  oaks,  if  you  believe  it  exceeds 
my  power  to  hunt  you  out  of  their  cover  at  pleasure.  But  I 
take  you  at  your  word.  The  coquette  shall  receive  you  on 
these  conditions,  and  with  the  confidence  that  a  first-rate  city 
belle  would  enter  a  country  ball-room." 

"  I  follow  in  your  honor's  wake  without  more  words,"  re 
turned  he  of  th  >  sash,  for  the  first  time  respectfully  raising  hib 
canvas  cap  to  the  young  commander.  ' '  Though  not  actually 
married,  consider  me  a  man  betrothed." 

It  is  not  necessary  to  pursue  the  discourse  between  the  two 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  59 

seaman  any  further.  It  was  maintained,  and  with  sufficient 
freedom  on  the  part  of  the  inferior,  until  they  reached  the 
shore  and  came  in  full  view  of  the  pennant  of  the  queen,  when, 
with  the  tact  of  an  old  man-of-war's  man,  he  threw  into  his 
manner  all  the  respect  that  was  usually  required  by  the  differ 
erence  of  rank. 

Half  an  hour  later,  the  Coquette  was  rolling  at  a  single  an 
chor,  as  the  puffs  of  wind  came  off  the  hills  on  her  three  top 
sails  ;  and  shortly  after  she  was  seen  standing  through  the 
Narrows,  with  a  fresh  southwesterly  breeze.  In  all  these 
movements  there  was  nothing  to  attract  attention.  Notwith 
standing  the  sarcastic  allusions  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout, 
the  cruiser  was  far  from  being  idle  ;  and  her  passage  outward 
was  a  circumstance  of  so  common  occurrence,  that  it  excited 
no  comment  among  the  boatmen  of  the  bay  and  the  coasters, 
who  alone  witnessed  her  departure. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

*•  I  am  no  pilot ;  yet,  wert  thou  as  far 
As  that  vast  shore  washed  with  the  furthest  sea, 
I  would  adventure  for  such  merchandise." 

ROMEO  AND  JULIBfc 

A  HAPPY  mixture  of  land  and  water,  seen  by  a  bright  moon, 
and  beneath  the  sky  of  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude,  cannot 
fail  to  make  a  pleasing  picture.  Such  was  the  landscape  which 
the  reader  must  now  endeavor  to  present  to  his  mind. 

The  wide  estuary  of  Raritan  is  shut  in  from  the  winds  and 
billows  of  the  open  sea  by  a  long,  low,  and  narrow  cape,  or 
point,  which  by  a  medley  of  the  Dutch  and  English  languages, 
that  is  by  no  means  rare  in  the  names  of  places  that  lie  within 
the  former  territories  of  the  United  Provinces  of  Hollai  i,  is 
known  by  the  name  of  Sandy  Hook.  This  tongue  of  land  ap 
pears  to  have  been  made  by  the  unremitting  and  opposing  ac 
tions  of  the  waves  on  one  side,  and  of  the  currents  of  the  dif 
ferent  rivers,  that  empty  their  waters  into  the  bay,  on  the 
other.  It  is  commonly  connected  with  the  low  coast  of  New 
Jersey,  to  the  south  ;  but  there  are  periods  of  many  years  in 
succession,  during  which  there  exists  an  inlet  from  the  sea, 
between  what  may  be  termed  the  inner  end  of  the  cape  and 
the  main-land.  During  these  periods,  Sandy  Hook  of  course 


6o  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

becomes  an  island.     Such  was  the  fact  at  the  time  of  which  it 

is  our  business  to  write. 

The  outer  or  ocean  side  of  this  low  and  narrow  bank  of 
sand,  is  a  smooth  and  regular  beach,  like  that  seen  on  most  of 
the  Jersey  coast,  while  the  inner  is  indented,  in  a  manner  to 
form  several  convenient  anchoring-grounds,  for  ships  that  seek 
a  shelter  from  easterly  gales.  One  of  the  latter  is  a  circular 
and  pretty  cove,  in  which  vessels  of  a  light  draught  are  com 
pletely  embayed,  and  where  they  may  in  safety  ride  secure 
from  any  winds  that  blow.  The  harbor — or,  as  it  is  always 
called,  the  cove — lies  at  the  point  where  the  cape  joins  the 
main,  and  the  inlet  just  named  communicates  directly  with  its 
waters  whenever  the  passage  is  open.  The  Shrewsbury,  a 
river  of  the  fourth  or  fifth  class,  or,  in  other  words,  a  stream 
of  a  few  hundred  feet  in  width,  and  of  no  great  length,  comes 
from  the  south,  running  nearly  parallel  with  the  coast,  and  be 
comes  a  tributary  of  the  bay,  also,  at  a  point  near  the  cove. 
Between  the  Shrewsbury  and  the  sea,  the  land  resembles  that 
on  the  cape,  being  low  and  sandy,  though  not  entirely  with 
out  fertility.  It  is  covered  with  a  modest  growth  of  pines  and 
oaks,  where  it  is  not  either  subject  to  the  labors  of  the  hus 
bandman,  or  in  natural  meadow.  But  the  western  bank  of  the 
river  is  an  abrupt  and  high  acclivity,  which  rises  to  the  eleva 
tion  of  a  mountain.  It  was  near  the  base  of  the  latter  that 
Alderman  Van  Beverout,  for  reasons  that  may  be  more  fully 
developed  as  we  proceed  in  our  tale,  had  seen  fit  to  erect  his 
villa,  which,  agreeably  to  a  usage  of  Holland,  he  had  called 
the  Lust  in  Rust ;  an  appellation  that  the  merchant,  who  had 
read  a  few  of  the  classics  in  his  boyhood,  was  want  to  say 
meant  nothing  more  nor  less  than  "  Otium  cum  dignitate." 

If  a  love  of  retirement  and  a  pure  air  had  its  influence  in  de 
termining  the  selection  of  the  burgher  of  Manhattan,  he  could 
not  have  made  a  better  choice.  The  adjoining  lands  had 
been  occupied,  early  in  the  previous  century,  by  a  respectable 
family  of  the  name  of  Hartshorne,  which  continues  seated  at 
the  place  to  the  present  hour.  The  extent  of  their  possessions 
served,  at  that  day,  to  keep  others  at  a  distance.  If  to  this 
fact  be  added  the  formation  and  quality  of  the  ground,  which 
•AVIS,  at  so  early  a  period,  of  trifling  value  for  agricultural  pur- 
i-  ;-;es,  it  will  be  seen  there  was  as  little  motive  as  there  was 
^opportunity  for  strangers  to  intrude.  As  to  the  air,  it  was  re 
freshed  by  the  breezes  of  the  ocean,  which  was  scarcely  a  mile 

istant ;  while  it   had  nothing   to  render  it  unhealthy  or  im- 
this  sketch  of  the  general  features  of  the  scene 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  6t 

where  so  many  of  our  incidents  occurred,  we  shall  proceed  to 
describe  the  habitation  of  the  alderman  a  little  more  in  de 
tail. 

The  villa  of  the  Lust  in  Rust  was  a  low,  irregular  edifice,  in 
bricks,  whitewashed  to  the  color  of  the  driven  snow,  and  in  a 
State  that  was  altogether  Dutch.  There  were  many  gables  and 
weathercocks,  a  dozen  small  and  twisted  chimneys,  with  num- 
Derless  facilities  that  were  intended  for  the  nests  of  the  storks. 
These  airy  sites  were,  however,  untenanted,  to  the  great  ad 
miration  of  the  honest  architect,  who,  like  many  others  that 
bring  with  them  into  this  hemisphere  habits  and  opinions  that 
are  better  suited  to  the  other,  never  ceased  expressing  his  sur 
prise  on  the  subject,  though  all  the  negroes  of  the  neighbor 
hood  united  in  affirming  there  was  no  such  bird  in  America. 
In  front  of  the  house  there  was  a  narrow  but  an  exceedingly 
neat  lawn,  encircled  by  shrubbery;  while  two  old  elms  that 
seemed  coeval  with  the  mountain,  grew  in  the  rich  soil  of 
which  the  base  of  the  latter  was  composed.  Nor  was  there  a 
want  of  shade  on  any  part  of  the  natural  terrace  that  was  occu 
pied  by  the  buildings.  It  was  thickly  sprinkled  with  fruit- 
trees,  and  here  and  there  was  a  pine  or  an  oak  of  the  native 
growth.  A  declivity  that  was  rather  rapid,  fell  away  in  front 
to  the  level  of  the  mouth  of  the  river.  In  short,  it  was  an 
ample  but  an  unpretending  country-house,  in  which  no  do 
mestic  convenience  had  been  forgotten  ;  while  it  had  little  to 
boast  of  in  the  way  of  architecture,  except  its  rusty  vanes  and 
twisted  chimneys.  A  few  out-houses  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  negroes,  were  nigh  and  nearer  to  the  river  ;  there  were 
barns  and  stables  of  dimensions  and  materials  altogether  su 
perior  to  those  that  the  appearance  of  arable  land  or  the  con 
dition  of  the  small  farm  would  seem  to  render  necessary.  The 
periagua  in  which  the  proprietor  had  made  his  passage  across 
the  outer  bay,  lay  at  a  small  wooden  wharf  immediately  be 
low. 

For  the  earlier  hours  of  the  evening,  the  flashing  of  candles, 
and  a  general  and  noisy  movement  among  the  blacks,  had  de 
noted  the  presence  of  the  master  of  the  villa.  But  the  activity 
had  gradually  subsided  ;  and,  before  the  clock  struck  nine,  the 
manner  in  which  the  lights  were  distributed,  and  the  general 
silence,  showed  that  the  party,  most  probably  fatigued  with 
their  journey,  had  already  separated  for  the  night.  The 
clamor  of  the  negroes  had  ceased,  and  the  quiet  of  deep  sleep 
was  already  prevailing  among  their  humble  dwellings. 

At  the  northern  extremity  of  the  villa,  which,  it  will  be  re* 


62  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

membered,  leaned  against  the  mountain,  and  facing  the  east, 
or  fronting  the  river  and  the  sea,  there  stood  a  little  wing, 
even  more  deeply  embowered  in  shrubbery  and  low  trees,  than 
the  other  parts  of  the  edifice,  and  which  was  constructed  al 
together  in  a  different  style.  This  was  a  pavilion  erected  for 
the  particular  accommodation  and  at  the  cost  of  la  belle  Barberie. 
Here  the  heiress  of  the  two  fortunes  was  accustomed  to  keep 
her  own  little  menage  during  the  weeks  passed  in  the  country ; 
and  here  she  amused  herself  in  those  pretty  and  feminine  em 
ployments  that  suited  her  years  and  tastes.  In  compliment  to 
the  beauty  and  origin  of  its  inhabitant,  the  gallant  Francois 
had  christened  this  particular  portion  of  the  villa  la  Cour  des 
Fees,  a  name  that  had  got  into  general  use,  though  somewhat 
corrupted  in  sound. 

On  the  present  occasion  the  blinds  of  the  principal  apart 
ment  of  the  pavilion  were  open,  and  its  mistress  was  still  to 
be  seen  at  one  of  the  windows.  Alida  was  at  an  age  when  the 
sex  is  most  sensible  of  lively  impressions,  and  she  looked 
abroad  on  the  loveliness  of  the  landscape,  and  on  the  soft 
stillness  of  the  night,  with  the  pleasure  that  such  a  mind  was 
wont  to  receive  from  objects  of  natural  beauty. 

There  was  a  young  moon,  and  a  firmament  glowing  with  a 
myriad  of  stars.  The  light  was  shed  softly  on  the  water, 
though  here  and  there  the  ocean  glittered  with  its  rays.  A 
nearly  imperceptible,  but  what  seamen  call  a  heavy  air,  came 
off  the  sea,  bringing  with  it  the  refreshing  coolness  of  the 
hour.  The  surface  of  the  immense  waste  was  perfectly 
unruffled,  both  within  and  without  the  barrier  of  sand  that 
forms  the  cape ;  but  the  body  of  the  element  was  heaving  and 
settling  heavily,  in  a  manner  to  resemble  the  sleeping  respira 
tion  of  some  being  of  huge  physical  frame.  The  roar  of  the 
surf,  which  rolled  up  in  long  and  white  curls  upon  the  sands, 
was  the  only  audible  sound  ;  but  that  was  heavy  and  incessant, 
sometimes  swelling  on  the  air  hollow  and  threatening,  and  at 
others  dying  in  dull  and  distant  murmurs  on  the  ear.  There 
was  a  charm  in  these  varieties  of  sound,  and  in  the  solemn 
stillness  of  such  a  night,  that  drew  Alida  into  her  little  bal 
cony  ;  and  she  leaned  forward  beyond  its  shadow  of  sweet- 
brier,  to  gaze  at  a  part  of  the  bay  that  was  not  visible  in  the 
front  view,  from  her  windows. 

La  belle  Barberie  smiled  when  she  saw  the  dim  masts  and 

t     dark  hull  of  a  ship  which  was  anchored  near  the  end  of  the 

cape,  and  within  its  protection.     There  was  a  look  of  womanly 

\  $>ride  in  her  dark  eye,  and  haply  some  consciousness  of  womanly 


THE    WATER-WITCH-  6$ 

power  in  the  swell  of  her  rich  lip,  while  a  taper  finger  beat  the 
bar  of  the  balcony  rapidly,  and  without  consciousness  of  its 
employment. 

"  The  loyal  Captain  Ludlow  has  quickly  ended  his  cruise ! fff 
said  the  maiden  aloud,  for  she  spok<*  under  the  influence  of  a 
triumph  that  was  too  natural  to  be  suppressed.  "  I  shall 
become  a  convert  to  my  uncle's  opinions,  and  think  the  queen 
badly  served." 

"  He  who  serves  one  mistress  faithfully  has  no  light  task,** 
returned  a  voice  from  among  the  shrubbery  that  grew  beneath, 
and  nearly  veiled  the  window  ;  "  but  he  who  is  devoted  to  two, 
may  well  despair  of  success  with  both  !  " 

Alida  recoiled,  and  at  the  next  instant  she  saw  her  place 
occupied  by  the  commander  of  the  Coquette.  Before  ventur 
ing  to  cross  the  low  barrier  that  still  separated  him  from  the 
little  parlor,  the  young  man  endeavored  to  read  the  eye  of  its 
occupant ;  and  then,  either  mistaking  its  expression,  or  bold  in 
his  years  or  hopes,  he  entered  the  room. 

Though  certainly  unused  to  have  her  apartment  scaled  with 
so  little  ceremony,  there  was  neither  apprehension  nor  wonder 
in  the  countenance  of  the  fair  descendant  of  the  Huguenot. 
The  blood  mantled  more  richly  on  her  cheek,  and  the  bright 
ness  of  an  eye  that  was  never  dull,  increased,  while  her  fine 
form  became  firm  and  commanding. 

11 1  have  heard  that  Captain  Ludlow  gained  much  of  his 
renown  by  gallantry  in  boarding,"  she  said,  in  a  voice  whose 
meaning  admitted  of  no  misconception ;  "  but  I  had  hoped  his 
ambition  was  satisfied  with  laurels  so  fairly  won  from  the 
enemies  of  his  country  !  " 

"  A  thousand  pardons,  fairest  Alida,"  interrupted  the  youth ; 
* '  you  know  the  obstacles  that  the  jealous  watchfulness  of  your 
uncle  opposes  to  my  desire  to  speak  with  you." 

"  They  are  then  opposed  in  vain,  for  Alderman  Van  Bever- 
out  has  weakly  believed  the  sex  and  condition  of  his  ward 
would  protect  her  from  these  coups -de-main" 

"  Nay,  Alida;  this  is  being  more  capricious  than  the  winds  ! 
You  know  too  well  how  far  my  suit  is  unpleasant  to  your 
guardian,  to  torture  a  slight  departure  from  cold  observances 
into  cause  of  serious  complaint.  I  had  hoped — perhaps,  I 
should  say,  I  have  presumed  on  the  contents  of  your  letter,  for 
which  I  return  a  thousand  thanks ;  but  do  not  thus  cruelly 
destroy  expectations  that  have  so  lately  been  raised  beyond  she 
point,  perhaps,  which  reason  may  justify. ;> 

The  glow,  which   had  begun  to  subside  on  the  face  of  la 


&|  THE    WATER-WITCH, 

belle  Barbaric,  again  deepened,  and  for  a  moment  it  appeared 
as  if  her  high  self-dependence  was  a  little  weakened.  After  an 
instant  of  reflection,  however,  she  answered  steadily,  though 
not  entirely  without  emotion  : 

"  Reason,  Captain  Ludlow,  has  limited  female  propriety 
within  narrow  limits,"  she  said.  "  In  answering  your  letter,  I 
have  consulted  good-nature  more  than  prudence ;  and  I  find 
that  you  are  not  slow  in  causing  me  to  repent  the  error. ' ' 

"If  I  ever  cause  you  to  repent  confidence  in  me,  sweet 
Alida,  may  disgrace  in  my  profession,  and  the  distrust  of  the 
whole  sex,  be  my  punishment !  But,  have  I  not  reason  to 
complain  of  this  inconstancy  on  your  part?  Ought  I  to 
expect  so  severe  a  reprimand — severe,  because  cold  and  iron 
ical — for  an  offence,  venial  as  the  wish  to  proclaim  my  grati 
tude?" 

"  Gratitude !"  repeated  Alida,  and  this  time  her  wonder 
was  not  feigned.  "  The  word  is  strong,  sir ;  and  it  expresses 
more  than  an  act  of  courtesy,  so  simple  as  that  which  may 
attend  the  lending  a  volume  of  popular  poetry  can  have  any 
right  to  claim." 

"  I  have  strangely  misconceived  the  meaning  of  the  letter, 
or  this  has  been  a  day  of  folly !  "  said  Ludlow,  endeavoring  to 
swallow  his  discontent.  "  But,  no  ;  I  have  your  own  words  to 
refute  that  averted  eye  and  cold  look ;  and,  by  the  faith  of  a 
sailor,  Alida,  I  will  believe  your  deliberate  and  well-reflected 
thoughts,  before  these  capricious  fancies,  which  are  unworthy 
of  your  nature.  Here  are  the  very  words ;  I  shall  not  easily 
£>art  with  the  flattering  hopes  they  convey  !  " 

La  belle  Barberie  now  regarded  the  young  man  in  open 
•amazement.  Her  color  changed ;  for  of  the  indiscretion  of 
writing  she  knew  she  was  not  guiltless — but  of  having  written 
vn  terms  to  justify  the  confidence  of  the  other,  he  felt  no  con 
sciousness.  The  customs  of  the  age,  the  profession  of  her 
fuitor,  and  the  hour,  induced  her  to  look  steadily  into  his  face, 
to  see  whether  the  man  stood  before  her  in  all  the  decency  of 
his  reason.  But  Ludlow  had  the  reputation  of  being  exempt 
from  a  vice  that  was  then  but  too  common  among  seamen,  and 
there  was  nothing  in  his  ingenuous  and  really  handsome 
features  to  cause  her  to  distrust  his  present  discretion.  She 
touched  a  bell,  and  signed  to  her  companion  to  be  seated. 

"  Francois,"  said  his  mistress  when  the  old  valet,  but  half 
awake,  entered  the  apartment,  ' '  fais  moi  le  plaisir  de  m'ap- 
porter  de  cette  eau  de  la  fontaine  du  bosquet,  et  du  vin— k 
.Capitainc  Ludlow  a  soif;  et  rappelle-toi,  bon  Francois,  UM 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  6$ 

frwt  pas  deranger   mon   oncle  a  cette  heure ;  il  doit  fctre  bain 

fatigue  de  son  voyage.'* 

When  her  respectful  and  respectable  servitor  had  received 
his  commission  and  departed,  Alida  took  a  seat  herself,  in  the 
confidence  of  having  deprived  the  visit  of  Ludlow  of  its  clan 
destine  character,  and  at  the  same  time  having  employed  the 
valet  on  an  errand  that  would  leave  her  sufficient  leisure  to 
investigate  the  inexplicable  meaning  of  her  companion. 

"  You  have  my  word,  Captain  Ludlow,  that  this  unseason 
able  appearance  in  the  pavilion  is  indiscreet,  not  to  call  it 
cruel,"  she  said,  so  soon  as  they  were  again  alone ;  *'  but  that 
you  have  it,  in  any  manner  to  justify  your  imprudence,  I  must 
continue  to  doubt  until  confronted  by  proof." 

"  I  had  thought  o  have  made  a  very  different  use  of  this,*" 
returned  Ludlow,  drawing  a  letter — we  admit  it,  with  some 
reluctance  in  one  so  simple  and  so  manly — from  his  bosom  ; 
"  and  even  now  I  take  shame  in  producing  it,  though  at  your 
own  orders." 

"  Some  magic  has  wrought  a  marvel,  or  the  scrawl  hat  no 
such  importance,"  observed  Alida,  taking  a  billet  that  she  now 
began  to  repent  having  ever  written.  "The  language  of 
politeness  and  female  reserve  must  admit  of  strange  perversions, 
or  all  who  read  are  not  the  best  interpreters." 

La  belle  Barbaric  ceased  speaking,  for,  the  instant  her  eye 
fell  on  the  paper,  an  absorbing  and  intense  curiosity  got  the 
better  of  her  resentment.  We  shall  give  the  contents  of  the 
letter,  precisely  in  the  words  which  caused  so,  much  amazement 
and  possibly  some  little  uneasiness  to  the  fair"  creature  who  was 
perusing  it. 

"  The  life  of  a  seaman,"  said  the  paper,  in  a  delicate  and 
beautiful  female  hand,  "is  one  of  danger  and  exposure.  It 
inspires  confidence  in  woman,  by  the  frankness  to  which  it 
gives  birth,  and  it  merits  indulgence  by  its  privations.  She 
who  writes  this,  is  not  insensible  to  the  merit  of  men  of  this 
bold  calling.  Admiration  for  the  sea  and  for  those  who  live 
on  it,  has  been  her  weakness  through  life ;  and  her  visions  of 
the  future,  like  her  recollections  of  the  post,  are  not  entirely 
exempt  from  a  contemplation  of  its  pleasures.  The  usagej  of 
different  nations — glory  in  arms — change  of  scene — with  con 
stancy  in  the  affections,  all  sweetened  by  affluence,  are  tempt 
ations  too  strong  for  a  female  imagination,  and  they  should, 
not  be  without  their  influence  or  the  judgment  of  man. 
Adieu." 

This  note  was  read,   reperused,   and   for  the  third  timt 


66  THE   IV A  TER  WITCH. 

conned/  ere  Alicia  ventured  to  raise  her  eyes  to  the  face  of  the 
expectant  young  man. 

"And  this  indelicate  and  unfeminine  rhapsody  Captain 
Ludlow  has  seen  proper  to  ascribe  to  me  !  "  she  said,  while  her 
voice  trembled  between  pride  and  mortification. 

"'To  whom  else  can  I  impute  it?  No  other,  lovely  Alida, 
could  utter  language  so  charming,  in  words  so  properly 
chosen." 

The  long  lashes  of  the  maiden  played  quickly  above  their 
dark  organs;  then,  conquering  feelings  that  were  strangely  in 
contradiction  to  each  other,  she  said  with  dignity,  turning  to 
a  "little  ebony  escritoire  which  lay  beside  her  dressing-box  : 

"  My  correspondence  is  neither  very  important  nor  very  ex 
tensive  ;  but  such  as  it  is,  happily  for  the  reputation  of  the 
•writer's  taste,  if  not  for  her  sanity,  I  believe  it  is  in  my  power 
to  show  the  trifle  I  thought  it  decorous  to  write,  in  reply  to  your 
own  letter.  Here  is  a  copy,"  she  added,  opening  what  in  fact 
was  a  draught,  and  reading  aloud. 

**  I  thank  Captain  Ludlow  for  his  attention  in  affording  me 
an  opportunity  of  reading  a  narrative  Of  the  cruel  deeds  of  the 
buccaneers.  In  addition  to  the  ordinary  feelings  of  humanity, 
one  cannot  but  regret  that  men  so  heartless  are  to  be  found  in 
a  profession  that  is  commonly  thought  to  be  generous  and 
tender  of  the  weak.  We  will  however,  hope,  that  the  very 
wicked  and  Cowardly  among  seamen  exist  only  *s  foils  to 
render  the  qualities  of  the  very  bold  and  manly  more  con 
spicuous.  No  one  can  be  more  sensible  of  this  truth  than  the 
friends  of  Captain  Ludlow"  (the  voice  of  Alida  fell  a  little, 
as  she  came  to  this  sentence),  "  who  has  not  now  to  earn  a 
reputation  for  mercy.  In  return,  I  send  the  copy  of  the  Cid, 
which  honest  Francois  affirms  to  be  superior  to  all  other  poems, 
not  even  excepting  Homer — a  book  which  1  believe  he  is  inno 
cent  of  calumniating,  from  ignorance  of  its  contents.  Again 
thanking  Captain  Ludlow  for  this  instance  of  his  repeated  at 
tentions,  I  beg  he  will  keep  the  volume  until  he  shall  return 
from  his  intended  cruise. ' ' 

"  This  note  is  but  a  copy  of  the  one  you  have,  or  ought  t-j 
have  "  icttd  the  niece  of  the  alderman,  as  she  raised  her  glow 
ing  face  from  leaning  over  the  paper,  "  though  it  is  not  signed, 
like  that,  with  the  name  of  Aiida  de  Barberie." 

When  this  explanation  was  over,  both  parties  sat  looking  at 
each  other  in  silent  amazement.  Still  Alida  saw,  or  thought 
she  saw,  that,  notwithstanding  the  previous  professions  of  her 
er,  the  young  man  rejoiced -he  had  been  deceived,  R<* 


THE   WATER-WITCH, 

spect  for  delicacy  and  reserve  in  the  other  sex  is  so  L 
and  so  natural  among  men,  that  they  who  succeed  the  most  in 
destroying  its  barriers,  rarely  fail  to  regret  their  triumph;  and 
he  who  truly  loves  can  never  long  exult  in  any  violation  of 
propriety  in  the  object  of  his  affections,  even  though  the  con 
cession  be  made  in  his  own  favor.  Under  the  influence  6f  this 
commendable  and  healthful  feeling,  Ludlow,  while  he  was  in 
some  respects  mortified  at  the  turn  affairs  had  taken,  felt 
sensibly  relieved  from  a  load  of  doubt,  to  which  the  extraor 
dinary  language  ,of  the  letter  he  believed  his  mistress  to  have 
written,  had  given  birth.  His  companion  read  the  state  of  his 
mind  in  a  countenance  that  was  frank  as  face  of  sailor  Could 
be  ;  and,  though  secretly  pleased  to  gain  her  former  place' in1 
his  respect,  she  was  also  vexed  and  wounded  that  he  had- ever 
presumed  to  distrust  her  reserve.  She  Still  held  the  inexpli 
cable  billet,  and  her  eyes  naturally  sought  the  lines.  A  sud 
den  thought  seemed  to  strike  her  mind,  and,  returning  the 
paper,  she  said,  coldly : 

"  Captain  Ludlow  should  know  his  correspondent  better;  I 
much -mistake  if  this  be  the  first  of  her  communications.'' 

The  young  man  colored  to  the  temples  and  hid  his  face,  for 
a  moment,  in  the  hollow  of  his  hands. 

"  You  admit  the  truth  of  my  suspicions,"  continued  la  belle 
Barberie,  "  and  cannot  be  insensible  of  my  justice,  when  I  add 
that  henceforth — " 

"Listen  to-  me,  Alida,"  cried  the  youth,  half  breathless  in 
his  haste  to  interrupt  a  decision  that  he  dreaded  ;  "hear  me, 
and,  as  Heaven  is  my  judge,  you  shall  hear  only  truth.  I  con 
fess  this  not  the  first  of  the  letters,  written  in  the  same  hand 
— perhaps  I  should  say  in  the  Same  spirit — but,  on  the  honor 
of  a  loyal  officer,  I  affirm  that  until  circumstances  led  me  to 
think  myself  so  happy — so — very  happy — " 

"I  understand  you,  sir;  the  work  was  anonymous,  until 
you  saw  fit  to  inscribe  my  name  as  its  author.  Ludlow  !  Lud 
low  !  how  meanly  you  have  thought  of  the  woman  you  profess 
to  love  !  " 

' '  That  were  impossible  !  I  mingle  litt1  e  with  those  who  study 
the  finesse  of  life ;  and  loving,  as  I  do,  my  noble  profession,1 
Alida,  was  it  so  unnatural  to  believe  that  another  might  view 
it  with  the  same  eyes  ?  But  since  you  disavow  the  letter- 
nay,  your  disavowal  is  unnecessary — I  see  my  vanity  has  even 
deceived  me  in  the  writing — but,  since  the  delusion  is  over,  I 
Confess  that  I  rejoice  it  is  not  so."  v 

La    belle    Barberie    "-wled,   and    her    countenance    grew 


^6  THE    WATEk-'VlTCH 

brighter  She  enjoyed  he  triumph  of  knowing  that  shei 
iled  the  respect  of  bar  suitor,  and  it  was  a  triumph  heightened 
by  recent  mortification.  Then  succeeded  a  pause  of  more  than  a 
minute.  The  embarrassment  of  the  silence  was  happily  in 
terrupted  by  the  return  of  Francois. 

"  Mam'selle  Alide,  voici  de  1'eau  de  la  fon  taine,"  said  the 
/alet ;  "  mais,  monsieur  votre  oncle  s'est  couche,  et  il  a  mis 
la  clef  de  la  cave  au  vin  dessous  son  oreiller.  Ma  foi,  ce  n'est 
pas  facile  d'avoir  du  bon  vin  du  tout,  en  Amerique,  mais  apres 
que  monsieur  le  marie  s'est  couche,  c'est  toujours  impossible ; 
voila !  " 

"  N'importe,  mon  cher;  le  capitaine  va  partir,  et  il  n'a  plus 
soif." 

"  Dere  is  assez  de  jin,"  continued  the  valet,  who  felt  for  the 
captain's  disappointment,  "  mais,  Monsieur  Loodle  have  du 
gout,  an'  he  n'aime  pas  so  strong  liqueur." 

"  He  has  swallowed  already  more  than  was  necessary  for  one 
occasion,  "  said  Alida,  smiling  on  her  admirer  in  a  manner 
that  left  him  doubtful  whether  he  ought  most  to  repine  or  to 
rejoice.  "Thank  you,  good  Francois;  your  duty  for  the 
night  shall  end  with  lighting  the  captain  to  the  door." 

Then,  saluting  the  young  commander  in  a  manner  that 
would  not  admit  of  denial,  la  belle  Barbaric  dismissed  her 
lover  and  the  valet  together. 

"  You  have  a  pleasant  office,  Monsieur  Francois,"  said  the 
former,  as  he  was  lighted  to  the  outer  door  of  the  pavilion ; 
"  it  is  one  that  many  a  gallant  gentleman  would  envy." 

"Oui,  sair — it  be  grand  plaisir  to  serve  Mam'selle  Alide. 
Je  porte  de  fan,  de  book,  mais  quant  au  vin,  Monsieur  le 
Capitaine,  parole  d'honneur,  c'eat  toujours  impossible  apres 
que  1'aldermain  s'est  couche"." 

"  Ay — the  book— I  think  you  had  the  agreeable  duty,  to 
day,  of  carrying  the  book  of  la  Belle?  " 

11  Vraiment,  oui  !  'Twas  ouvrage  de  Monsieur  Pierre  Cor- 
neille.  On  pretend,  que  Monsieur  Shak-a-spear  en  a  emprunt* 
;d' assez  beaux  sentiments  !  " 

' '  And  the  paper  between  the  leaves  ? — you  were  charged 
also  with  that  note,  good  Francois?  " 

The  valet  paused,  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  laid  one  ot 
his  long  yellow  fingers  on  the  plane  of  an  enormous  aquiline 
nose,  while  he  seemed  to  muse.  Then  shaking  his  head  per 
pendicularly,  he  preceded  the  captain  as  before,  muttering  as 
ssual,  half  in  French  and  half  in  English  : 

"  For  ie  papier,  I  know  rien  du  tout ;  c'est  bien  possible. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  69 

parceque,  voyez  vous,  Monsieur  le  Capitaine,  Mam'sclle  Alide 
did  say,  prenez-y  garde ;  but  I  no  see  him,  depuis.  Je  sup 
pose  'twas  beaux  compliments  ecrits  on  de  vers  of  M.  Pierre 
Corneille.  Quel  g6nie  que  celui  de  cet  homme  la  I — n'est  ce 
pas,  monsieur  ?  M 

"It  is  of  no  consequence,  good  Francois,"  said  Ludlow, 
slipping  a  guiniea  into  the  hands  of  the  valet.  "  If  you  should 
ever  discover  what  became  of  that  paper,  however,  you  will 
oblige  me  by  letting  me  know.  Good-night ;  mes  devoirs  a 
ia  Belle  !  " 

"  Bon  soir,  Monsieur  le  Capitaine;  c'est  un  brave  monsieur 
que  celui-la,  et  de  tres  bonne  famile  !  II  n'a  pas  de  si  grandes 
terres,  que  Monsieur  le  Patteroon,  pourtant,  on  dit,  qu'il  doit 
avoir  de  jolies  maisons  et  assez  de  rentes  publiques  !  J'aime  a 
servir  un  si  gen£reux  et  loyal  maitre,  mais,  malheureusement,  il 
est  marin  !  M.  de  Barberie  n'avait  pas  trop  d'amitie  pour  les 
gens  decette  profession  la." 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

••Well,  Jessica,  go  in; 

Perhaps,  I  will  return  immediately : 
Do  as  I  bid  you, 

Shut  doors  after  you ;  Fast  bind,  fast  find ; 
A  proverb  never  stale,  in  thrifty  mind." 

MERCHANT  or  VENICE. 

THE  decision  with  which  la  demoiselle  Barbaric  had  dis* 
missed  her  suitor,  was  owing  to  some  consciousness  that  she 
had  need  of  opportunity  to  reflect  on  the  singular  nature  of 
the  events  which  had  just  happened,  no  less  than  to  a  sense  of 
the  impropriety  of  his  visiting  her  at  that  hour,  and  in  a  man 
ner  so  equivocal.  But,  like  others  who  act  from  feverish  im 
pulses,  when  alone  the  maiden  repented  of  her  precipitation  ; 
and  she  remembered  fifty  questions  which  might  aid  in  clear 
ing  the  affair  of  its  mystery,  that  she  would  now  gladly  put. 
It  was  too  late,  however,  for  she  had  heard  Ludlow  take  his 
leave,  and  had  listened,  in  breathless  silence,  to  his  footstep, 
as  he  passed  the  shrubbery  of  her  little  lawn.  Francois  reap 
peared  at  the  door,  to  repeat  his  wishes  for  her  rest  and  happi 
ness,  and  then  she  believed  she  was  finally  alone  for  the  night, 
since  the  ladies  of  that  age  and  country  were  little  apt  to  re 
quire  the  assistance  of  their  attendants,  in  assuming  or  in 
divesting  themselves  of  their  ordinary  attire. 


pC  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

It  was  still  early,  and  the  recent  interview  had  deprived 
Alida  of  all  inclination  for  sleep.  She  placed  the  lights  in  a 
distant  corner  of  the  apartment,  and  approached  a  window. 
The  moon  had  so  far  changed  its  position  as  to  cast  a  different 
light  upon  the  water.  The  hollow  washing  of  the  surf,  the 
dull  but  heavy  breathing  of  the  air  from  the  sea,  and  the 
soft  shadows  of  the  trees  and  mountain,  were  much  the  same, 
The  Coquette  lay,  as  before,  at  her  anchor  near  the  cape,  and 
the  Shrewsbury  glittered  toward  the  south,  until  its  surface  was 
concealed  by  the  projection  of  a  high  and  nearly  perpendicu 
lar  bluff. 

The  stillness  was  profound,  for,  with  the  exception  of  the 
.-dwelling  of  the  family  who  occupied  the  estate  nearest  the 
villa,  there  was  no  other  habitation  within  some  miles  of  the 
place.  Still  .the  solitude  of  the  situation  was  undisturbed  by 
any  apprehension  of  danger,  or  any  tradition  of  violence  from 
rude  and  lawless  men.  The  peaceable  character  of  the  colo 
nists  who  dwelt  in  the  interior  country  was  proverbial,  and 
their  habits  simple;  while  the  ocean  was  never  entered  by 
those  barbarians  who-  then  rendered  some  of  the  seas  of  the 
other  hemisphere  as  fearful  as  they  were  pleasant. 

Notwithstanding  this  known  and  customary  character  of 
tranquillity.,  and  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  Alida  had  not  been 
many  moments .  in  her  balcony  before  she  heard  the  sound  of 
oars.  The  stroke  was  measured,  and'the  noise  low  and  dis 
tant,  but  it  was  too  familiar  to  be  mistaken.  She  wondered 
at  the  expedition  of  Ludlow,  who  was  not  accustomed  to  show 
such  haste  in  quitting  her  presence,  and  leaned  over  the  rail 
ing  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  his  departing  boat.  Each  moment 
she  expected  to  see  the  little  bark  issue  from  out  of  the 
shadows  of  the  land,  into  the  sheet  of  brightness  which 
stretched  nearly  to  the  cruiser.  She  gazed  long,  and  in  vain, 
for  no  barge  appeared,  yet  the  sound  had  become  inaudible. 
A  light  still  hung  at  the  peak  of  the  Coquette,  a  sign  that  the 
commander  was  out  of  his  vessel. 

.  The  view  of  a  fine  ship,  seen  by  the  aid  of  the  moon,  with 
its  symmetry  of  spars  and  its  delicate  tracery  of  cordage,  and 
the  heavy  and  grand  movements  of  the  hull  as  it  rolls  on  the 
sluggish  billows  of  a  calm  sea,  is  ever  a  pleasing  and  indeed 
2n  imposing  spectacle.  Alida  knew  that  more  than  a  hundred 
human  behigs  slept  within  the  black  and  silent  mass,  and  her 
thoughts  insensibly  wandered  to  the  business  of  their  daring 
lives,  their  limited  abode,  and  yet  wandering  existence,  their 
frank  and  manly  qualities,  their  devotion  to  the  cause  of  those 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  J\ 

who  occupied  the  land,  their  broken  and  interrupted  connec 
tion  with  the  rest  of  the  human  family,  and  finally  to  those 
weakened  domestic  ties,  and  to  that  reputation  for  incon 
stancy,  which  are  apparently  a  natural  consequence  of  all.  She 
sighed,  and  her  eye  wandered  from  the  ship  to  that  ocean  oa 
which  it  was  constructed  to  dwell.  From  the  distant,  low, 
and  nearly  imperceptible  shore  of  the  island  of  Nassau,  to  the 
coast  of  New  Jersey,  there  was  one  broad  and  untenanted 
waste.  Even  the  sea-fowl  rested  his  tired  wing,  and  slept 
tranquilly  on  the  water.  The  broad  space  appeared  like 
some  great  and  unfrequented  desert,  or  rather  like  a  denser 
and  more  material  copy  of  the  firmament  by  which  it  was 
canopied. 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  a  stunted  growth  of  oaks  and 
pines  covered  much  of  the  sandy  ridge  that  formed  the  cape. 
The  same  covering  furnished  a  dark  setting  to  the  waters  of 
the,  cove.  Above  this  outline  of  wood,,  which  fringed  the 
margin  of  the  sea,  Alida  now  fancied  she  saw  an  object  in 
motion.  At  first,  she  believed  some,  fagged  and  naked  tree, 
of  which  the  coast  had  many,  was  so  placed  as  to  deceive  her 
vision,  and  had  thrown  its  naked  lines  upon  the  background  of 
water,  in  a  manner  to  assume  the  shape  and  tracery  of  a  light- 
rigged  vessel.  But  when  the  dark  and  symmetrical  spars  were 
distinctly  seen,  gliding  past  objects  .that  were  known  to  be 
stationary,  it  was  impossible  to  doubt  their  character.  The 
maiden  wondered,  and  her  surprise  was  not  unmixed  with  ap 
prehension.  It  seemed  as  if  the  stranger,  for  such  the  vessel 
must  needs  be,  was  recklessly  approaching  a  surf  that,  in  its 
most  tranquil  moments,  was  dangerous  to  such  a  fabric,  -and 
that  he  steered,  unconscious  of  hazard,  directly  upon  the 
land.  Even  the  movement  was  mysterious  and  unusual.  Sails 
there  were  none;  and  yet  the  light  and  lofty  spars  were  soon 
hid  behind  a  thicket  that  covered  a  knoll  near  the  margin  of 
the  sea.  Alida  expected,  each  moment,  to  hear  the  cry  of 
mariners  in  distress ;  then,  as  the  minutes  passed  on  and  no 
such  fearful  sound  interrupted  the  stillness  of  the  night,  she 
began  to  bethink  her  of  those  lawless  rovers,  who  were 
known  to  abound  among  the  Caribbean  isles,  and  who  were 
said  sometimes  even  to  enter  and  to  refit  in  the  smaller  and: 
more  secret  inlets  of  the  American  Continent.  The  tales,, 
coupled  with  the  deeds,  character,  and  fate  of  the  notorious, 
Kidd,  were  then  still  recent,  and  although  magnified  and  col- 
1  :ed  by  vulgar  exaggerations,  as  all  such  tales  are  known  to  be, 

u>ugh  was  believed,  by  the  better  instructed,  to  make  his  life 


ft  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

and  death  the  subject  of  many  curious  and  mysterious  rumors, 
At  this  moment,  she  would  have  gladly  recalled  the  ycung 
commander  of  the  Coquette,  to  apprise  him  of  the  enemy  that 
was  nigh ;  then,  ashamed  of  terrors  that  she  was  fain  to  hope 
savored  more  of  woman's  weakness  than  of  truth,  she  endeav 
ored  to  believe  the  whole  some  ordinary  movement  of 
a  coaster,  who,  familiar  with  his  situation,  could  not  possi 
bly  be  either  in  want  of  aid,  or  an  object  of  alarm.  Just  as 
this  natural  and  consoling  conclusion  crossed  her  mind,  she 
very  audibly  heard  a  step  in  her  pavilion.  It  seemed  near  the 
door  of  the  room  she  occupied.  Breathless,  more  with  the 
excitement  of  her  imagination,  than  with  any  actual  fear 
created  by  this  new  cause  of  alarm,  the  maiden  quitted  the 
balcony,  and  stood  motionless  to  listen.  The  door,  in  truth, 
was  opened  with  singular  caution,  and,  for  an  instant,  Alida 
saw  nothing  but  a  confused  area,  in  the  centre  of  which 
appeared  the  figure  of  a  menacing  and  rapacious  free 
booter. 

"  Northern  lights  and  moonshine  !  "  growled  Alderman  Van 
Beverout,  for  it  was  no  other  than  the  uncle  of  the  heiress, 
whose  untimely  and  unexpected  visit  had  caused  her  so  much 
alarm.  "This  sky-watching,  and  turning  of  night  into  day, 
will  be  the  destruction  of  thy  beauty,  niece ;  and  we  shall 
see  how  plenty  patroons  are  for  husbands  !  A  bright  eye  and 
a  blooming  cheek  are  thy  stock  in  trade,  girl ;  and  she  is  a 
spendthrift  of  both  who  is  out  of  her  bed  when  the  clock  hath 
struck  ten." 

"  Your  discipline  would  deprive  many  a  beauty  of  the  means 
of  using  her  power,"  returned  la  demoiselle,  smiling  as  much 
at  the  folly  of  her  recent  fears,  as  with  affection  for  her  re 
prover.     "  They  tell  me  that  ten  is  the  witching  time  of  night, 
for  the  necromancy  of  the  dames  of  Europe." 

"Witch  me  no  witches!  The  name  reminds  one  of  the 
cunning  Yankees,  a  race  that  would  outwit  Lucifer  himself,  if 
left  to  set  the  conditions  to  their  bargain ,  Here  isthepatroon, 
wishing  to^  let  in  a  family  of  the  knaves  among  the  honest 
Dutchmen '  of  his  manor ;  and  we  have  just  settled  a  dis 
pute  between  us,  on  this  subject,  by  making  the  lawful 
trial." 

"  Which,  it  may  be  proper  to  hope,  dearest  uncle,  was  not 
the  trial  by  battle?" 

"Peace  and  olive-branches,  no!  The  patroon  of  Kinder- 
hook  is  the  last  man  in  the  Americas  that  is  likely  to  suffer  by 
*he  blows  of  Myndert  Van  Beverout,  I  challenged  the  boy  to 


THE   WATER-WITCH*  73 

hold  a  fine  eel,  that  the  blacks  have  brought  out  of  the  rivet 
to  help  in  breaking  our  morning  fasts,  that  it  might  be  seen  if 
he  were  fit  to  deal  with  the  slippery  rogues.  By  the  merit  of 
the  peaceful  St.  Nicholas !  but  the  son  of  old  Hendrick  Van 
Staats  had  a  busy  time  of  it !  The  lad  griped  the  fish,  as  the 
ancient  tradition  has  it  that  thy  uncle  clinched  the  Holland 
florin,  when  my  father  put  it  between  my  fingers,  within  the 
month,  in  order  to  see  if  the  true  saving  grace  was  likely  to 
abide  in  the  family  for  another  generation.  My  heart  misgave 
me  for  a  moment ;  for  young  Oloff  has  the  fist  of  a  vice,  and 
I  thought  the  goodly  names  of  the  Harmans  and  Rips,  Cor 
neliuses  and  Dircks  of  the  manor  rent-roll  were  likely  to  be 
contaminated  by  the  company  of  an  Increase  or  a  Peleg;  but, 
just  as  the  patroon  thought  he  had  the  watery  viper  by  the 
throat,  the  fish  gave  an  unexpected  twist,  and  slid  through  his 
fingers  by  the  tail.  Flaws  and  loop-holes !  but  that  experiment 
has  as  much  wisdom  as  wit  in  it !  " 

"  And  to  me,  it  seemeth  better,  now  that  Providence  has 
brought  all  the  colonies  under  one  government,  that  these 
prejudices  should  be  forgotten.  We  are  a  people  sprung  from 
many  nations,  and  our  effort  should  be  to  preserve  the  lib 
erality  and  intelligence,  while  we  forget  the  weaknesses  of 
all." 

*'  Bravely  said,  for  the  child  of  a  Huguenot !  But  I  defy 
the  man  who  brings  prejudice  to  my  door.  I  like  a  merry 
trade,  and  a  quick  calculation.  Let  me  see  the  man  in  all  New 
England  that  can  tell  the  color  of  a  balance-sheet  quicker  than 
one  that  can  be  named,  and  I'll  gladly  hunt  up  the  satchel  and 
go  to  school  again.  I  love  a  man  the  better  for  looking  to  his 
own  interests,  I ;  and  yet,  common  honesty  teaches  us  that 
there  should  be  a  convention  between  men,  beyond  which 
none  of  reputation  and  character  ought  to  go." 

"  Which  convention  shall  be  understood,  by  every  man,  to 
t>e  the  limits  of  his  own  faculties ;  by  which  means  the  dull 
may  rival  the  quick  of  thought.  I  fear  me,  uncle,  there 
should  be  an  eel  kept  on  every  coast  to  which  a  trader 
comes !  " 

"  Prejudice  and  conceit,  child,  acting  on  a  drowsy  head  ; 
'tis  time  thou  seekest  thy  pillow,  and  in  the  morning  we  shall 
see  if  young  Oloff  of  the  manor  shall  have  better  success  with 
thy  favor,  than  with  the  prototype  of  the  Jonathans.  Here, 
put  out  these  flaring  candles,  and  take  a  modest  lamp  to  light 
*hee  to  thy  bed.  Glaring  windows,  so  near  midnight,  give  f 
house  an  extravagant  name  in  the  neighborhood." 


74  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"  Our  reputation  for  sobriety  may  suffer  in  ^the  opinion  oi 
the  eels,*'  returned  Alida,  laughing,  "but  here  are  few  others, 
I  believe,  to  call  us  dissipated." 

V  One  never  knows,  one  never  knows, "  muttered  the  alder 
man,  extinguishing  the  two  large  candles  of  his  niece,  and 
substituting  his  own  little  hand-lamp  in  their  place.      "  This- 
broad  light  only  invites  to  wakefulness,  while  the  dim   taper 
I  leave  is  good  as  a  sleeping  draught.     Kiss  me,  wilful  one, 
and  draw  thy  curtains  close,  for  the  negroes  will  soon  rise  to. 
load  the  periagua,  tl?at  they  may  go  up  with  tide  to  the  city., 
The  noise  , of    the   clattering    blackguards    may  disturb    thy. 
slumbers." 

"  Truly,  it  would  -seem  there  is  little  here  to  invite  such  ac 
tive  navigation,"  returned  Alida,  saluting  the  cheek  of  her 
uncle,  at  his  order.  ",  The  love  of  trade  must  be  strong, 
when  it.  finds  the  materials  of  commerce  in  a  solitude  like 
this." 

"  Thou,  Jiast  divine^  the  reason,  child.  The  father,  Mon 
sieur  de  Barberie,  had  his  peculiar  opinions  upon  the  subject, 
and  doubtless  he  did -not  fail  to  transmit  some  of  them  to  his 
offspring.  And  yet,  when  the  Huguenot  was  driven  from  his 
chateau  and  his  clayey  Norman  lands,  the  man  had  no  distaste 
himself  for  an  account-current,  provided  the  balance  was  in? 
his  own  favor.  Nations  and  characters  !  I  find  but  little  dif 
ference,  after  all,  in  trade,  whether  it,  be  driven  with  a  Mo 
hawk  for  his  pack  of  furs,  or  with  a  seigneur,  who  has  been 
driven  from  his  lands.  Each  strives  to  get  the  profit  on  his- 
own  side  of  the  account,  and  the  loss  on  that  of  his  neighbor. 
So  rest  thee  well,  girl :  and  remember  that  matrimony  is  no 
more  than  a  capital,  bargain,  on  whose  success  depends  the 
sum  total  of  a  woman's  eomfort— and  so,  once  more,  good 
night." 

La  belle  Barberie  attended  her  uncle  dutifully  to  the  doer  of 
her  pavilion,  which  she  bolted  after  him ;  and  then,  finding 
her  little;  apartment -gloomy  by  the  light  of  the  small  and  fee 
ble  lamp  he  had  left,  she  was  pleased  to, bring  its  flame  in 
contact  with  the  wicks  of  the  two  candles  he  had  just  extin 
guished.  Placing  the  three  near  each  other  on  a  table,  the 
maiden  again  drew., nigh  a  window.  The  unexpected  inter 
view  with  the  alderman  had  consumed  several  minutes,  and 
she  was  curious  to  know  more  of  the  unaccountable  move 
ments  of  the  mysterious  vessel. 

The  same  deep  silence  reigned  about  the  villa,  and  the 
slumbering  ocean  was  heaving  and  setting  as  heavily  as  before* 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  75 

Alicia  again  looked  for  the  boat  at  Ludlow ;  but  her  eye  ran 
Over  the  whole  distance  of  the  bright  and  broad  streak  between 
her  and  the  cruiser  in  vain.  There  was  the  slight  ripple  of 
the  water  in  the  glittering  of  the  moon's  rays,  but  no  speck 
like  that  the  barge  would  make  was  visible.  The  lantern  st?U 
shone  at  the  cruiser's  peak.  Once,  indeed,  she  thought  the 
sound  of  oars  was  again  to  be  heard,  and  much  nearer  than 
before;  yet  no  effort  of  her  quick  and  roving  sight  could 
detect  the  position  of  the  boat.  To  all  these  doubts  suc 
ceeded  an  alarm  which  sprang  from  a  new  and  very  differ 
ent  source. 

The  existence  of  the  inlet  which  united  the  ocean  with 
the  waters  of  the  cove  was  but  little  known,  except  to  the 
few  whose  avocations  kept  them  near  the  spot.  The  pass 
being  much  more  than  half  the  the  time  closed,  its  varying 
character,  and  the  little  use  that  could  be  made  of  it  under 
any  circumstances,  prevented  the  place  from  being  a  subject 
of  general  interest  with  the  coasters.  Even  when  open,  the 
depth  of  its  water  was  uncertain,  since  a  week  or  two  of 
calms,  or  of  westerly  winds,  would  permit  the  tides  to  clean 
'its  channel,  while  a  single  easterly  gale  was  sufficient  to 
choke  the  entire  inlet  with  sand.  No  wonder,  then,  that 
'Alida  felt  an  amazement  which  was  not  quite  free  from  su 
perstitious  alarm,  when,  at  that  hour  and  in  such  a  scene, 
she  saw  a  vessel  gliding,  as  it  were,  unaided  by  sails  or 
sweeps,  out  of  the  thicket  that  fringed  the  ocean-side  of  the 
cove,  into  its  very  centre. 

The  strange  and  mysterious  craft  was  a  brigantine  of  that 
mixed  construction,  Which  is  much  used  even  in  the  most 
ancient  and  classical  seas  of  the  other  hemisphere,  and  which 
is  supposed  to  unite  the  advantages  of  both  a  square  and  of 
a  fore-and-aft  rigged  vessel,  but  which  is  nowhere  seen  to 
display  the  same  beauty  of  form,  and  symmetry  of  equip 
ment,  as  on  the  coasts  of  this  Union.  The  first  and  small 
est  of  its  masts  had  all  the  complicated  machinery  of  a  ship, 
with  its  superior  and  inferior  spars,  its  wider  reaching, 
though  light  and  manageable  yards,  and  its  various- sails, 
shaped  and  arranged  to  meet  every  vicissitude  and  caprice 
of  the  winds;  while  the  latter,  or  larger  of  the  two,  rose 
like  the  straight  trunk  of  a  pine  from  the  hull,  simple  in  its 
cordage,  and  spreading  a  single  sheet;  of  canvas,  that  in  it 
self  Avas  sufficient  to  drive  the  :fabn_  with  vast  velocity 
through  the  water.  The  hull  was  low,  graceful  in  its  out 
lines,  dark  as  the  raven's  wing,  and  so  modelled  as  to  float 


76  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

on  its  element  like  a  sea-gull  riding  the  billows.  There 
were  many  delicate  and  attenuated  lines  among  its  spars, 
which  were  intended  to  spread  broader  folds  of  canvas  to  the 
light  airs  when  necessary  ;  but  these  additions  to  the  tracery 
of  the  machine,  which  added  so  much  to  its  beauty  by  day, 
were  now,  seen  as  it  was  by  the  dimmer  and  more  treacherous 
rays  of  the  moon,  scarcely  visible.  In  short,  as  the  vessel  had 
entered  the  cove  floating  with  the  tide,  it  was  so  singularly 
graceful  and  fairy-like  in  form,  that  Alida  at  first  was  fain  to 
discredit  her  senses,  and  to  believe  it  no  more  than  some  illu 
sion  of  the  fancy.  Like  most  others,  she  was  ignorant  of  the 
temporary  inlet,  and,  under  the  circumstances,  it  was  not  dif 
ficult  to  lend  a  momentary  credence  to  so  pleasing  an  idea. 

But  the  delusion  was  only  momentary.  The  brigantine 
turned  in  its  course,  and,  gliding  into  the  part  of  the  cove 
where  the  curvature  of  the  shores  offered  most  protection  from 
the  winds  and  waves,  and  perhaps  from  curious  eyes,  its  mo 
tion  ceased.  A  heavy  plunge  in  the  water  was  audible  even 
at  the  villa,  and  Alida  then  knew  that  an  anchor  had  fallen 
into  the  bay. 

Although  the  coast  of  North  America  offered  little  to  invite 
lawless  depredation,  and  it  was  in  general  believed  to  be  so 
safe,  yet  the  possibility  that  cupidity  might  be  invited  by  the 
retired  situation  of  her  uncle's  villa  did  not  fail  to  suggest  it 
self  to  the  mind  of  the  young  heiress.  Both  she  and  her 
guardian  were  reputed  to  be  wealthy ;  and  disappointment  on 
the  open  sea  might  drive  desperate  men  to  the  commission  of 
crimes  that  in  more  prosperous  moments  would  not  suggest 
themselves.  The  freebooters  were  said  to  have  formerly  visited 
the  coast  of  the  neighboring  island,  and  men  were  just  then 
commencing  those  excavations  for  hidden  treasures  and  secreted 
booty  which  have  been,  at  distant  intervals,  continued  to  our 
own  time. 

There  are  situations,  in  which  the  mind  insensibly  gives 
credit  to  the  impressions  that  the  reason  in  common  disap 
proves.  The  present  was  one  in  which  Alida  de  Barberie, 
though  of  a  resolute  and  even  a  masculine  understanding,  felt 
disposed  to  believe  there  might  be  truth  in  those  tales  that  she 
had  hitherto  heard  only  to  deride.  Still  keeping  her  eye  on 
the  motionless  vessel,  she  drew  back  into  her  window,  and 
wrapped  the  curtain  round  her  form,  undecided  whether  to 
alarm  the  family  or  not,  and  acting  under  a  vague  impression 
that,  though  so  distant,  her  person  might  be  seen.  She  was 
hardly  thus  secreted,  before  the  shrubbery  was  violently  agi- 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  J) 

tated,  a  footstep  was  heard  in  the  lawn  beneath  her  window, 
and  one  leaped  so  lightly  into  the  balcony,  and  from  the  bal 
cony  into  the  centre  of  the  room,  that  the  passage  of  the  figure 
Deemed  like  the  flitting  of  some  creature  of  supernatural  attri 
butes. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"Why  look  you,  how  you  stare  I 

I  would  be  friends  with  you,  and  have  your  love." 

SHYLOCK. 

THE  first  impulse  of  Alida,  and  this  second  invasion  of  her 
pavilion,  was  certainly  to  flee.  But  timidity  was  not  her  weak' 
ness,  and  as  natural  firmness  gave  her  time  to  examine  the  per 
son  of  the  individual  who  had  so  unceremoniously  entered, 
curiosity  aided  in  inducing  her  to  remain.  Perhaps  a  vague 
but  a  very  natural  expectation  that  she  was  again  to  dismiss 
the  commander  of  the  Coquette,  had  its  influence  on  her  first 
decision.  In  order  that  the  reader  may  judge  how  far  this 
boldness  was  excusable,  we  shall  describe  the  person  of  the 
intruder. 

The  stranger  was  one  in  the  very  bud  of  young  and  active 
manhood.  His  years  could  not  have  exceeded  two-and- 
twenty,  nor  would  he  probably  have  been  thought  so  old,  had 
not  his  features  been  shaded  by  a  rich  brown  hue,  that  in  some 
degree  served  as  a  foil  to  a  natural  complexion  which,  though 
never  fair,  was  still  clear  and  blooming.  A  pair  of  dark, 
bushy,  and  jet-black  silken  whiskers,  that  were  in  singular 
contrast  to  eyelashes  and  brows  of  feminine  beauty  and  soft 
ness,  aided  also  in  giving  a  decided  expression  to  a  face  that 
might  otherwise  have  been  wanting  in  some  of  that  character 
which  is  thought  essential  to  the  comeliness  of  man.  The 
forehead  was  smooth  and  low ;  the  nose,  though  prominent 
and  bold  in  outline,  of  exceeding  delicacy  in  detail ;  the 
mouth  and  lips  full,  a  little  inclined  to  be  arch,  though  the 
former  appeared  as  if  it  might  at  times  be  pensive ;  the  teeth 
were  even  and  unsullied,  and  the  chin  was  small,  round, 
dimpled,  and  so  carefully  divested  of  the  distinguishing  mark 
of  the  sex,  that  one  could  fancy  Nature  had  contributed  all  its 
growth  to  adorn  the  neighboring  cheeks  and  temples.  If  to 
these  features  be  added  a  pair  of  full  and  brilliant  coal-black 


;8  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

eyes,  that  appeared  to  vary  their  expression  at  their  master's 
will,  the  reader  will  at  once  see  that  the  privacy  of  Alida  had 
been  invaded  by  one  whose  personal  attractions  might,  under 
other  circumstances,  have  been  dangerous  to  the  imagination  of 
a  female  whose  taste  was  in  some  degree  influencer1  by  a  stand 
ard  created  by  her  own  loveliness. 

The  dress  of  the  stranger  was  as  unique  as  his  personal  at 
tractions  were  extraordinary.  The  fashion  of  the  garments 
resembled  that  of  those  already  described  as  worn  by  the  man 
who  has  announced  himself  as  Master  Tiller  ;  but  the  materi 
als  were  altogether  richer,  and,  judging,  only  from  the  exterior, 
more  worthy  u-pf  .the,  wearer. 

The  light  frock  was  of  a  thick  purple  silk,  of  an  Indian 
manufacture,  cut  with  exceeding  care  to  fit  the  fine  outlines  of 
a  form  that  was  rather -round  than  square,  active  than'  athletic. 
The  loose  trousers' were  of  a  fine  white  jean,  the  cap  of  scarlet 
velvet,  ornamated  with  gold,  and  the  body  was  belted  with 'a 
large  cord  of  scarlet  silk,  twisted  in  the  form  of  a  ship's  cable;' 
At  the  ends  of  the  latter,  little  anchors  wrought  in  bullion 
were  attached  as  .gay  and  fitting  appendages. 

In  contrast  to  an  attire  so  whimsical  and  uncommon,  how 
ever,  a  pair  of  small  and  richly-mounted  pi'stols  -were  at  the 
stranger's  girdle;  and  the  haft. of  a  curiously-carved  Asiatic 
dagger  was  seen  projecting  rather  ostentatiously  from  between 
the  folds  of  the  upper  garment. 

"  What  cheer  !  what  cheer  !  "  cried  a  voice,  that  was  morfr 
in  harmony  with  the  appearance  of  the  speaker  than  with  the 
rough,  professional  salutation  he  uttered,  so  soon  as  he  had 
fairly  landed  in  the  centre  of  Alida's  little  saloon.  "Come 
forth,  my  dealer  in  the  covering  of  the  beaver,  for  here  is  one 
who  brings  gold  to  thy  coffers.  Ha  !  now  that  this  trio  of  lights 
hath  done  its  office,  it  may  be  extinguished,  lest  it  pilot  others' 
to  the  forbidden  haven  !  " 

"Your  pardon,  sir,"  said  the  mistress  of  the  pavilion,  ad 
vancing  from  behind  the  curtain  with  an  air  of  coolness  that 
her  beating  heart  had  nigh  betrayed  to  be  counterfeit ;  "  hav 
ing  so  unexpected  a  guest  to  entertain,  the  additional  candles- 
are  necessary." 

The  start,  recoil,  and  evident  alarm  of  the  intruder,  lent 
Alida  a  little  more  assurance  ;  for  courage  is  a  quality  that  ap 
pears  to  gain  force  in  a  degree  proportioned  to  the  amount  in" 
which  it  is  abstracted  from  the  dreaded  object.  Still,  when 
she  saw  a  hand  on  a  pistol,  the  maiden  was  again  about  to; 
flee  ;  nor  was  her  resolution  to  remain  confirmed  until  she  met 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  79 

the  mild  and  alluring  eye  of  the  intruder,  as,  quitting  his  hold 
of  the  weapon,  he  advanced  with  an  air  so  mild  and  graceful 
as  to  cause  generosity  to  take  the  place  of  fear. 

.-''  Though  Alderman  Van  Beverout  be  not  punctual  to  his 
appointment,"  said  the  gay  young  stranger,  "  he  has  more 
than  atoned  for  his  absence  by  the  substitute  he  sends.  I  hope 
she  comes  authorized  to  arrange  the  whole  of  our  treaty  ?  " 

"  I  claim  no  right  to  hear  or  to  dictate  in  matters  not  my 
own.  My  utmost  powers  extend  to  expressing  a  desire  that 
this  pavilion  may  be  exempt  from  the  discussion  of  affairs  as 
much  beyond  my  knowledge  as  they  are  separated  from  my 
interests." 

."  Then  why  this. signal  ?  "  demanded  the  stranger,  pointing 
with  a  serious  air  to  the  lights  that/still  burned  near  each  other 
in  face  of  an  open  window.  "  It  is  awkward  to  mislead  in 
transactions  that  are  so  delicate  !  " 

"  Your  allusion,  sir,  is  not  understood.  These  lights  are  no 
more  than  what  are  usually  seen  in  my  apartment  at  this  hour, 
with,  indeed,  the  addition  of  a  lamp  left  by  my  uncle,  Alder 
man  Van  Beverout." 

"Your  uncle!  "  exclaimed  the  other,  advancing  so  near 
Alida  as  to  cause  h*r  to  retire  a  step,  his  countenance  express- 
ing  a  deep  and  newly-awakened  interest — "  your  uncle  !  This, 
then,  is  one  far-famed  md  justly  extolled,  la  belle  Barbe~rie  !  " 
he  added,  gallantly  lifting  his  cap,  as  if  he  had  just  discovered 
the  condition  and  the  unusual  personal  attractions  of  his 
companion. 

It  was  not  in  nature  for  Alida  to  be  displeased.  All  her 
fancied  causes  of  terror  were  forgotten ;  for,  in  addition  to 
their  improbable  and  uncertain  nature,  the  stranger  had  suf 
ficiently  given  her  to  understand  that  he  was  expected  by  her 
uncle.  If  we  add  that  the  singular  attraction  and  softness  of 
his  face  and  voice  aided  in  quieting  her  fears,  we  shall  probably 
do  no  violence  either  to  the  truth  or  to  a  very  natural  feeling. 
Profoundly  ignorant  of  the  details  of  commerce,  and  accus 
tomed  to  hear  its  mysteries  extolled  as  exercising  the  keenest 
and  best  faculties  of  man,  she  saw  nothing  extraordinary  in 
those  who  were  actively  engaged  in  the  pursuit  having  reason 
for  concealing  their  movements  from  the  jealousy  and  rivalry 
.of  competitors.  Like  most  of  her  sex,  she  had  great  depend 
ence  on  the  characters  of  those  she  loved  ;  and,  though  nature, 
education,  and  habit,  had  created  a  striking  difference  between 
<the  guardian  and  his  ward,  their  harmony  had  never  been  in 
terrupted  by  any  breach  of  affection. 


8o  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"  This,  then,  is  la  belle  Barbe'rie  !  "  repeated  the  young 
sailor,  for  such  his  dress  denoted  him  to  be,  studying  her  feat 
ures  with  an  expression  of  face  in  which  pleasure  vied  with 
evident  and  touching  melancholy.  "  Fame  hath  done  no  in 
justice,  for  here  is  all  that  might  justify  the  folly  or  madness 
of  man  !  " 

"This  is  familiar  dialogue  for  an  utter  stranger,"  returned 
Alida,  blushing,  though  the  quick  dark  eye  that  seemed  to 
fathom  all  her  thoughts  saw  it  was  not  in  anger.  "  I  do  not 
deny  that  the  partiality  of  friends,  coupled  with  my  origin, 
have  obtained  the  appellation,  which  is  given,  however,  more 
in  playfulness  than  in  any  serious  opinion  of  its  being  merited  ; 
and  now,  as  the  hour  is  getting  late,  and  this  visit  is  at  least 
unusual,  you  will  permit  me  to  seek  my  uncle." 

"  Stay  !  "  interrupted  the  stranger — "  it  is  long — very  long, 
since  so  soothing,  so  gentle  a  pleasure  has  been  mine  !  This  is 
a  life  of  mysteries,  beautiful  Alida,  though  its  incidents  seem 
so  vulgar,  and  of  every-day  occurrence.  There  is  mystery  in 
its  beginning  and  its  end  ;  in  its  impulses ;  its  sympathies  and 
all  its  discordant  passions.  No,  do  not  quit  me.  I  am  from 
off  the  sea,  where  none  but  coarse  and  vulgar-minded  men 
have  long  been  my  associates  ;  and  thy  presence  is  a  balm  to 
a  bruised  and  Wounded  spirit." 

Interested,  if  possible,  more  by  the  touching  and  melancholy 
tones  of  the  speaker,  than  by  his  extraordinary  language, 
Alida  hesitated.  Her  reason  told  her  that  propriety,  and  even 
prudence,  required  she  should  apprise  her  uncle  of  the 
stranger's  presence ;  but  propriety  and  prudence  lose  much  of 
their  influence,  when  female  curiosity  is  sustained  by  a  secret 
and  powerful  sympathy.  Her  own  eloquent  eye  met  the  open 
and  imploring  look  of  organs  that  seemed  endowed  with  the 
fabled  power  to  charm ;  and,  while  her  judgment  told  her 
there  was  so  much  to  alarm,  her  senses  pleaded  powerfully  in 
behali  of  the  gentle  mariner. 

"  An  expected  guest  of  my  uncle  will  have  leisure  to  repose, 
after  the  privations  and  hardships  of  so  weary  a  voyage,"  she 
said.  "This  is  a  house  whose  door  is  never  closed  against 
the  rites  of  hospitality." 

"  If  there  is  aught  about  my  person  or  attire  to  alarm  you," 
returned  the  stranger,  earnestly,  "  speak,  that  it  may  be  cast 
away;  these  arms — these  foolish  arms,  had  better  not  have 
been  here,"  he  added,  casting  the  pistols  and  dagger  indig 
nantly  through  a  window,  into  theshubbery;  "ah!  if  you 


THE   WATER-WITCH  »'ir 

knew  how  unwillingly  I  would  harm  any — and,  least  of  all,  a 
woman — you  would  not  fear  me." 

"  I  fear  you  not,"  returned  la  Belle,  firmly.  "  I  dread  the 
misconceptions  of  the  world." 

' '  What  world  is  here  to  disturb  us  ?  Thou  livest  in  thy  pa 
vilion,  beautiful  Alida,  remote  from  towns  and  envy,  like  some 
favored  damsel,  over  whose  happy  and  charmed  life  presides*!* 
benignant  genius.     See,  here  are  all  the  pretty  materials  with 
which  thy  sex  seeks  innocent  and  happy  amusement.     Thou 
touchest  this  lute,  when  melancholy  renders  thought  pleasing  y 
here  are  colors  to  mock,  or  to  eclipse,  the  beauties  of  the  fields? 
and  the  mountains,  the  flower,  and  the  tree  \  and  from  these  ; 
pages  are  culled  thoughts,  pure  and  rich  in  imagery,  as  thy.' 
spirit  is  spotless  and  thy  person  lovely  I  " 

Alida  listened  in  amazement ;    for,  while  he  spoke,  ther 
young  mariner  touched  the  different  articles  he  named,  with  a 
melancholy  interest,  which  seemed  to  say  how  deeply  he  re 
gretted  that  Fortune  had  placed  him  in  a  profession  in  which, 
their  use  was  nearly  denied. 

"  It  is  not  common  for  those  who  live  on  the  sea  to  feeTtriisr 
interest  in  the  trifles  which  constitute  a  woman's  pleasure,"  she 
said,  lingering,  spite  of  her  better  resolution  to  depart. 

"  The  spirit  of  our  rude  and  boisterous  trade  is  then  known., 
to  you?  " 

"  It  were  not  possible  for  the  relation  of  a  merchant,  stin 
extensively  known  as  my  uncle,  to  be  ignorant  altogether  o£> 
mariners." 

"  Ay,  here  is  proof  of  it,"  returned  the  stranger,  speaking 
so  quick  as  again  to  betray  how  sensitively  his  mind  was  con 
structed.  "The  'History  of  the  American  Buccaneers,'  is  a. 
rare  book  to  be  found  in  a  lady's  library  I  What  pleasure  caro 
a  mind  like  that  of  la  belle  Barbfrie  find  in  these  recitals  oi 
bloody  violence  ?  " 

"  What  pleasure,  truly  I  "  returned  Alida,  half  tempted,  bjr 
the  wild  and  excited  eye  of  her  companion,  notwithstanding' 
all  the  contradictory  evidence  which  surrounded  him,  to  be 
lieve  she  was  addressing  one  of  the  very  rovers  in  question 
"  The  book  was  lent  me  by  a  brave  seaman,  who  holds  hin*-  - 
self  in  readiness  to  repress  their  depredations;    and,   while..- 
reading  of  so  much  wickedness,  I  endeavor  to  recall  the  devo-  - 
tion  of  those  who  risk  their  lives,  in  order  to  protect  the  weak  x 
and  innocent. — My  uncle  will  be  angered,  should  I  longer? 
delay  to  apprise  him  of  your  presence." 

"  A  single  moment  I   It  is  long — very  long,  since  I  hav* 
6 


S2  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

entered  a  sanctuary  like  this  !  Here  is  music,  and  there  tilt 
frame  for  the  gaudy  tambour — these  windows  look  on  a  land 
scape,  soft  as  thine  own  nature ;  and  yonder  ocean  can  be 
admired  without  dreading  its  terrific  power,  or  feeling  disgust 
at  its  coarser  scenes.  Thou  shouldst  be  happy  here." 

The  stranger  turned  and  perceived  that  he  was  alone.  Dis 
appointment  was  strongly  painted  on  his  handsome  face  ;  but, 
ere  there  was  time  for  second  thought,  another  voice  was  heard 
grumbling  at  the  door  of  the  saloon. 

"  Compacts  and  treaties  !  What,  in  the  name  of  good  faith, 
hath  brought  thee  hither  ?  Is  this  the  way  to  keep  a  cloak  on 
our  movements  ?  or  dost  suppose  that  the  queen  will  knight 
tne,  for  being  known  as  thy  correspondent  ?  " 

"  Lanterns  and  false  beacons!",  returned  the  other, 
mimicking  the  voice  of  the  discontented  burgher,  and  point 
ing  to  the  lights  that  still  stood  where  last  described.  "  Can 
the  port  be  entered  without  respecting  the  land-marks  and 
signals?" 

"This  comes  of  moonlight  and  sentiment !  When  the  girl 
should  have  been  asleep,  she  is  up  gazing  at  the  stars,  and  dis 
concerting  a  burgher's  speculations.-~But  fear  thee  not,  Master 
Seadrift;  my  .niece  has  discretion,  and,  if  we  have  no  better 
pledge  for  her  silence,  these  is  that  of  necessity ;  since  there 
is  no  one  here  for  a  confidant,  but  her  old  Norman  valet,  and 
the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook,  both  of  whom  are  dreaming  of 
other  matter  than  a  little  gainful  traffic." 

"  Fear  thee  not,  alderman,"  returned  the  other,  still  main 
taining  his  air  of  mockery.  "  We  have  the  pledge  of  char 
acter,  if  no  other ;  since  the  uncle  cannot  part  with  reputa 
tion,  without  the  niece  sharing  in  the  loss." 

"  What  sin  is  there  in.  pushing  commerce  a  step  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  law  ?  These  English  are  a  nation  of  monopolists; 
and  they  make  no  scruple  of  tying  us  of  the  colonies  hand  and 
foot,  heart  and  soul,  with  their  acts  of  Parliament,  saying 
*  With  us  shalt  thou  trade,  or  not  at  all,'  By  the -character  of 
the  best  burgomaster  of  Amsterdam,  and  they  came  by  the 
province,  too,  in  no  such  honesty  that  we  should  lie  down  and 
obey  !  " 

"  Wherein  there  is  much  comfort  to  a  dealer  in  the  contra 
band.  Justly  reasoned,  my  worthy  alderman,  Thy  logic 
will  at  a«y  time  make  a  smooth  pillow,  especially  if  the  ad 
venture  be  not  without  its  profit.  And  now,  having  so  com* 
mendably  disposed  of  the  moral  of  our. bargain,  let  us  approach 
\t$  legitimate,  if  not  its  lawful.  ,  conclusion.  There,"  h« 


THE    WATER  WITCH  83 

added,  drawing  a  small  bag  from  an  inner  pocket  of  his  frock, 
and  tossing   it   carelessly   on   a  table;  "there   is   thy   gold;/ 
Eighty  broad  Johannes  is  no  bad  return  for  a  few  packages  of 
furs;  and  even  avarice  itself  will  own  that  six  months  isTiC*?. 
long  investment  for  the  usury." 

••"  That  boat  of  thine,  most  lively  Seadrift,  is  a  marine  hum 
ming-bird  !  "  returned  Myndert,  with  a  joyful  tremor  of  the 
voice,  that  betrayed  his  deep  and  entire  satisfaction.  "Didst 
say  just  eighty  ?  But  spare 'thyself  the  trouble  of  looking  for 
the  memorandum  ;  I  will  tell  the  gold  myself,  to  save  thee  the 
trouble.  Truly  the  adventure  hath  not  been  bad  !  a  few  kegs 
of  Jamaica,  with  a  little  powder  and  lead,  and  a  blanket  or 
two.  with  now  and  then  a  penny  bawble  for  a  chief,  are  know 
ingly,  ay  !  and  speedily  transmuted  into  the  yellow  metal,  by 
thy 'good  aid.- — This  affair  was  managed  on  the  French  coast  ?  " 

•'•  More  northward,  where  the  frost  helped  the  bargain. 
Thy.  beavers  and  martens,  honest  burgher,  will  be  flaunting  in 
the  presence  of  the  emperor  at  the  next  holidays.  What  is 
there  in  the  face  of  the  Braganza  that  thou  studiest  it  so  hard  ?  " 

^  The  piece  seems  none  of  the  heaviest— but,  luckily,  I  have 
scales  at  hand- — " 

-'Hold  !  "  said  the  stranger,  laying  his  hand,  which,  ac 
cording  to  a  fashion  of  that  day,  was  "clad  in  a  delicate  and 
scented  glove,  lightly,  on  the  arm  of  the  other;  "  no  scales  be 
tween  us,  sir  I  "That  was  taken  in  return  for  thy  adventure; 
neavy  or  light,  it  must  go  down.  We  deal  in  confidence,  and 
this  hesitation  offends  me.  Another  such  doubt  of  my  iiiteg- 
r'ty,  and  our  connection  is  at  an  end." 

"  A  calamity  I  should  deplore,  quite  or  nearly  as  much  as 
thyself,"  returned  Myndert,  affecting  to  laugh  ;  though  he 
slipped  the  suspected  doubloon  into  the  bag  again,  in  a  man- 
nei  that  at  once  removed  the  object  of  contention  from  view. 
"  A  little  particularity  in  the  balance  part  of  commerce  serves 
us  to  maintain  friendships.  But  a  trifle  shall  not  cause  us  to 
;vaste  the  precious  time — Hast  brought  goods  suited  to  the 
coionies?" 

"  In  plenty." 

"  And  ingeniously  assorted?  Colonists  and  monopoly! — 
But  there  is  twofold  satisfaction  in  this  clandestine  traffic;  I 
never  get  the  notice  of  thy  arrival,  Master  Seadrift/ but  the 
heart  within  me  leapeth  of  gladness.  There  is  a  double  pleas*" 
ure  in  circumventing  the  legislation  of  your  London  wise- 
acres.'* 

"  The  chieJest  of  which  is-™  »  " 


$4  THE    WATER-WITCH 

* t  A  goodly  return  for  the  investment,  truly — I  desire  not  to 
deny  the  agency  of  natural  causes ;  but,  trust  me,  there  is  a 
-sort  of  professional  glory  in  thus  defeating  the  selfishness  of 
our  rulers.  What !  are  we  born  of  woman,  to  be  used  as  the 
instruments  of  their  prosperity  ?  Give  us  equal  legislation,  a 
right  to  decide  on  the  policy  of  enactments,  and  then,  like  a 
loyal  and  obedient  subject — " 

"  Thou  wouldst  still  deal  in  the  contraband  !  n 
"  Well,  well,  multiplying  idle  words  is  not  multiply! /ig  gold. 
The  list  of  the  articles  introduced  can  be  forthcoming  1  " 

"It  is  here,  and  ready  to  be  examined.  But  there  is  a 
-fancy  come  over  me,  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  which,  like 
others  of  my  caprices,  thou  knowest  must  have  its  way.  There 
-should  be  a  witness  to  our  bargain.*' 

"Judges  and  juries  !    Thou  forgettest,  man,  tLat  a  clumsy 

-galliot  could  sail  through  the  tightest  clause  of  these  extra- 

3egal  compacts.     The  courts  receive  the  evidence  of  this  sort 

of  traffic,  as  the  grave  receives  the  dead — to  swallow  all  and 

;'be  forgotten." 

**  I  care  not  for  the  courts,  and  little  desire  do  I  feel  to  en 
ter  them.  But  the  presence  of  la  belle  Barberie  may  serve  to 
prevent  any  misconceptions  that  might  bring  our  connection 
i£o  a  premature  close.  Let  her  be  summoned.1' 

"  The  girl  is  altogether  ignorant  of  traffic,  and  it  might  un- 
^settle  her  opinions  of  her  uncle's  stability.     If  a  man  does  not 
maintain  credit  within  his  own  doors,  how  can  he  expect  it  in 
.-*-,$be  streets  ?" 

*"  Many  have  credit  on  the  highway,  who  receive  none  ai 
:  .SiSfome.     But  thou  knowest  my  humor;  no  niece — no  traffic." 

*«  Alida  is  a  dutiful  and  affectionate  child,  and  I  would  no* 
•  willingly  disturb  her  slumbers.  Here  is  the  Patroon  of  Kin- 
derhook,  a  man  who  loves  English  legislation  as  little  as  my- 
( -self — he  will  be  less  reluctant  to  see  an  honest  shilling  turned 
.  into  gold.  I  will  awake  him  :  no  man  was  ever  yet  offended 
i  at  an  offer  to  share  in  a  profitable  adventure." 

*'  Let  him  sleep  on.     I  deal  not  with  your  lords  of  manors 
-and  mortgages.     Bring  forth  the  lady,  for  there  will  be  matter 
fit  for  her  delicacy." 

' '  Duty  and  the  ten  commandments  !  You  never  had  the 
charge  of  a  child,  Master  Seadrift,  and  cannot  know  the 
weight  of  responsibility — " 

"  No  niece — no  traffic  !"  interrupted  the  wilful  dealer  in 
contraband,  returning  his  invoice  to  hii  pocket,  and  preparing 
'to  rise  from  the  table,  where  he  had  already  seated  himself. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  8* 

•«  M  he  lady  knows  of  my  presence;    and  it  were  safer  for  us 
both  that  she  entered  more  deeply  into  our  confidence." 

"Thou  art  as  despotic  as  the  English  Navigation-law?  I 
bear  the  foot  of  the  child  still  pacing  her  chamber,  and  she- 
shall  come.     But  there  need  be  no  explanations,  to  recall  old 
intercourse.     The  affair  can  pass  as  a  bit  of  accidental  specti- 
lation — a  by-play,  in  the  traffic  of  life." 

"  As  thou  pleasest.  I  shall  deal  less  in  words  than  in  busi 
ness.  Keep  thine  own  secrets,  burgher,  and  they  are  safe;. 
Still,  I  would  have  the  lady,  for  there  is  a  presentiment  tha* 
our  connection  is  in  danger." 

"I  like  not  that  word  presentiment,"  grumbled  the  alder 
man,  taking  a  light,  and  snuffing  it  with  deliberate  care;: 
"  drop  but  a  single  letter,  and  one  dreams  of  the  pains  an<& 
penalties  of  the  Exchequer. — Remember  thou  art  a  trafficker^ 
who  conceals  his  appearance  on  account  of  the  cleverness  o& 
his  speculations." 

"  That  is  my  calling  to  the  letter.  Were  all  others  as 
clever,  the  trade  would  certainly  cease — Go,  bring  the  lady."* 

The  alderman,  who  probably  saw  the  necessity  of  making: 
some  explanation  to  his  niece,  and  who,  it  would   seem,  fully; 
understood  the  positive  character  of  his  companion,  no  longer 
hesitated  ;  but,  first  casting  a  suspicious  glance  out  of  the  sulk; 
open  window,  he  left  the  room. 


CHAPTER  X. 

"  Alack,  what  heinous  Sin  is  it  in  me, 
To  be  ashamed  to  be  my  father's  child  f 
But  though  I  am  a  daughter  to  his  blood* 
I  am  not  to  his  manners." 

MERCHANT  OF  VENICE,.  . 

THE  moment  the  stranger  was  again  alone,  the  entire  ex 
pression  of  his  countenance  underwent  a  change.     The  reck- 
fess  and  bold  expression  deserted  his  eye,  which  once  more  be*- 
came  soft,  if  not  pensive,  as  it  wandered  over  the   different 
elegant  objects  that  served  to  amuse  the  leisure  of  la  belle  Bar-^ 
berie.     He  arose  and  touched  the  strings  of  a  lute,  and  theiy. 
like  Fear,  started  back,  as  if  recoiling  at  the  sound  he  ha$'- 
made.     All  recollection  of  the  object  of  his  visit  was  evidently 
forgotten  in  a  new  and  livelier  interest;    and,  had  there  beeE* 
one  to  watch  his  movements,  the  last  motive  imputed  to  hi*; 


86  THE 

presence  would  probably  have  been  the  one  that  was  true. 
There  was  so  little  of  that  vulgar  and  common  character  which 
is  usually  seen  in  men  of  his  pursuit,  in  the  gentle  aspect  and 
subdued  air  of  his  fine  features,  that  it  might  be  fancied  he 
was  thus  singularly  endowed  by  Nature,  in  order  that  deception 
might  triumph.  If  there  were  moments  when  a  disregard  of 
opinion  was  seen  in  his  demeanor,  it  rather  appeared  assumed 
than  easy ;  and  even  when  most  disposed  to  display  lawless  in 
difference  to  the  ordinary  regulations  of  society,  in  his  inter 
view  with  the  alderman,  it  had  been  blended  with  a  reserve  of 
manner  that  was  strangely  in  contrast  with  his  humor. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  were  idle  to  say  that  Alida  de  Bar- 
berie  had  no  unpleasant  suspicions  concerning  the  character  of 
her  uncle's  guest.  That  baneful  influence  which  necessarily 
exerts  itself  near  an  irresponsible  power,  coupled  with  thfe  nat 
ural  indifference  with  which  the  principal  regards  the  depend 
ant,  had  caused  the  English  ministry  to  fill  too  many  of  their 
posts  of  hohor  and  profit,  in  their  colonies,  with  needy  and 
dissolute  men  of  rank,  or  of  high  political  connections  at 
home.  The  province  of  New  York  had,  in  this  respect,  been 
particularly  unfortunate.  The  gift  of  it  by  Charles  t6  his 
brother  and  successor,  had  left  it  without  the  protection  of 
those  charters  and  other  privileges  that  had  been  granted  to 
most  of  the  governments  of  America.  The 'connection  with 
the  crown  was  direct,  and  for  a  long  period  the  majority  of 
the  inhabitants  were  considered  as  of  a  different  race,  and  of 
course  as  of  one  less  to  be  considered  than  that  of  their  con 
querors.  Such  was  the  laxity  of  the  times  on  the  subject  of 
injustice  to  the  people  of  this  hemisphere,  that  the  predatory 
expeditions  of  Drake  and  others  against  the  wealthy  occupants 
of  the  more  southern  countries  seem  to  have  left  no  spots  on 
their  escutcheons ;  and  the  honors  and  favors,  of  Queen  Eliza 
beth  had  been  liberally  extended  to  men  who  would  now  be 
deemed  freebooters.  In  short,  that  system  of  violence  and 
specious  morality  which  commenced  with  the  gifts  of  Ferdi 
nand  and  Isabella,  and  the  bulls  of  the  popes,  was  continued 
with  more  or  less  of  modification,  until  the  descendants  of 
those  single-minded  and  virtuous  men  who  peopled  the  Union, 
took  the  powers-  of  government  into  their  own  hands,  and  pro 
claimed  political  ethics  that  were  previously  as  little  practised 
as  understood. 

Alida  knew  that  both  the  Earl  of  Bellamont  and  the  un 
principled  nobleman  who  has  been  introduced  in  the  earlier 
pages  of  th's  tale,  had  not  escaped  the  imputation  of  conniv- 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  8,7 

ing  at  acts  on  the  sea  far  more  flagrant  than  any  of  an  unlaw 
ful  trade;  and  it  will  therefore  create  little  surprise  that  she 
saw  little  reason  to  distrust  the  legality  of  some  of  her  uncle's 
speculations,  with  less  pain  than  might.be  felt  by  one  of  her 
sex  and  opinions  at  the  present  hour.  ,  Her  suspicions,  how 
ever,  fell  far  short  of  the  truth  •  for  it  were  scarce  possible-to 
have  presented  a  mariner  who  bore  about  him  fewer  of  these 
signs  of  his  rude  calling  than  he  whom  she  had  so  unexpect 
edly  met.  - 

Perhaps,  too,  the  powerful  charm  that  existed  in  the  voice 
and  countenance  of  one  §o  singularly  gifted  by  Nature,  had  its 
influence  in  persuading  Alida  to  reappear.  At  all  events,  she 
was  soon  seen  to  enter  the  room  with  an  air  tha-t  manifested 
more  of  curiosity  and  wonder  than  of  displeasure. 

"  My  niece  has  heard  that  thou  comest  from  the  old  coun 
tries,  Master  Seadrift,"  said  the  wary  alderman,  who  preceded 
Alida,  "-and  the  woman  is  uppermost  in  her  heart.  Thou 
wilt  never  be  forgiven  should  the  eye  of  any  maiden  in  Man 
hattan  get  sight  of  thy  finery  before  she  has  passed  judgment 
on  its  merit." 

"I  cannot  wish  a  more  impartial  or  a  fairer  judge/' re 
turned  the  other,  doffing  his  cap  in  the  gallant  and  careless 
manner  of  his  trade.  "Here  are  silks  from  the  looms  of 
Tuscany,  and  Lyonnois  brocades,  that  any  Lombard  or  dame 
of  France  might  envy.  Ribbons  of  every  hue  and  dye,  and 
laces  .that  seem  to  copy  the  fretwork  of  the  richest  cathedral 
of  your  Fleming  !  " 

"Thou  has  journeyed  much  in  thy  time,  Master  Seadrift,, 
and.speafcest  of  countries  and  usages  vith  understanding," 
said  the  alderman.  "But  how  stand  the  prices  of  these 
precious  goods  ?  Thou  knowest  the  long  war,  and  moral  cer 
tainty  of  its  continuance;  this  German,  succession  to  the 
throne,  and  the  late  earthquakes  in  the  country,  too,  have  much 
unsettled  prices,,  and  cause  us  thoughtful  burghers  to  bs  wary 
in  our  traffici  Didst  inquire  the  cost  of  geldings  when  last  in 
Holland?" 

"The  animals  go  a-begging !  As  to  the  value  of  my  goods, 
that,  you  know,  is  fixed;  for  I  admit  of  no  parley  between 
friends." 

"Thy  obstinacy  is  unreasonable,  Master  Seadrift.  A  wise 
merchant,  will  always  look  to  the  state  of  the  market,  and  one 
so  practiced  should  know  that  a  nimble  sixpence  multiplies 
faster  than  a  slow-moving  shilling.  'Tis  the  constant  rolling 
of  the  ball  that  causes  the  snow  to  cleave  !  Goods  that  come 


WATERWITCH. 

tight  should  not  go  heavy,  and  quick  settlements  follow  sudden 
bargains.  Thou  knowest  our  York  saying,  that  '  first  offers  ar« 
.the  best.'  ' 

•  "  He  that  likes  may  purchase,  and  he  that  prefers  his  gold 
fto-  fine  laces,   rich  silks,  and  stiff  brocades,  has  only  to  sleep 
with  his  money-bags  under  his  pillow.     There  are  others  who 
wait   with   impatience   to   see   the   articles ;  and  I  have  not 
i  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  a  freight  that  scarcely  ballasts  the 
bngantine,  to  throw  away  the  valuables  on  the  lowest  bid 
der." 

••".Nay,  uncle,"  said  Alida,  in  a  little  trepidation,  "  we  can- 
v.-siot  judge  of  the  quality  of  Master  Seadrift's  articles  by  re 
port.     I  dare  to  say  he  has  not  landed  without  a  sample  of  his 
wares?  f> 

"Custom  and  friendships  I"  muttered  Myndert;  "of 
what  use  is  an  established  correspondence  if  it  is  to  be  broken 
on  account  of  a  little  cheapening  ?  But  produce  thy  stores, 
/Mr.  Dogmatism  ;  I  warrant  me  the  fashions  are  of  some  re 
jected  use,  or  that  the  color  of  the  goods  be  impaired  by  the 
usual  negligence  of  thy  careless  mariners.  We  will  at  least 
fcpay  thee  the  Compliment  to  look  at  the  effects." 

*<  '"us  as  you  please,"  returned  the  other.  "  The  bales  are 
'In  the  usual  place  at  the  wharf,  under  the  inspection  of  honest 
.Master  Tiller — but  if  so  inferior  in  quality  they  will  scarce  re- 
,pay  the  trouble  of  the  walk." 

-".Til  go,  I'll  go,"  said  the  alderman,  adjusting  his  wig  and 
^Temoving  his  spectacles;  "  'twould  not  be  treating  an  old  cor 
respondent  well,  to  refuse  to  look  at  his  samples — thou  wilt  fol 
low,  Master  Seadrift,  and  so  I  will  pay  thee  the  compliment  to 
^examine  the  effects — though  the  long  war,  the  glut  of  furs  the 
over-abundance  of  the  last  year's  harvests,  and  the  perfect 
•quiet  in  the  mining  districts,  have  thrown  all  commerce  flnt  on 
its  back.  I'll  go,  however,  lest  thou  shouldst  say  thy  interests 
were  neglected.  Thy  Master  Tiller  is  an  indiscreet  agent;  he 
gave  me  a  fright  to-day  that  exceeds  any  alarm  I  have  felt 
since  the  failure  of  Van  Halt,  Balance,  and  Diddle." 

The  voice  of  Myndert  became  inaudible,  for,  in  his  haste 
£iot  to  neglect  the  interests  of  his  guest,  the  tenacious  trader 
?had  already  quitted  the  room,  and  'ialf  of  his  parting  speech 
-was  uttered  in  the  antechamber  of  the  pavilion. 

"  'Twould  'scarce  comport  with  the  propriety  of  my  sex,  to 
>  .mingle  with  the  seamen-,  and  the  others  who  doubtless  surround 
the  bales,"  said  Alida,  in  whose  face  there,  was  a  marked  ex« 
<>38ression  of  hesitation  and  curiosity. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  «9 

"It  will  not  be  necessary,"  returned  her  companion.  "1 
have,  at  hand,  specimens  of  all  that  you  would  see.  But  why 
this  haste  ?  We  are  yet  in  the  early  hours  of  the  night,  and 
the  alderman  will  be  occupied  long,  ere  he  comes  to  the  determ 
ination  to  pay  the  prices  my  people  are  sure  to  ask.  I  am 
lately  from  off  the  sea,  beautiful  Alida,  and  thou  canst  not 
know  the  pleasure  I  find  in  breathing  even  the  atmosphere  of 
a  woman's  presence." 

La  belle  Barberie  retired  a  step  or  two,  she  knew  not  why ; 
and  her  hand  was  placed  upon  the  cord  of  the  bell,  before  she 
was  aware  of  the  manner  in  which  she  betrayed  her  alarm. 

"  To  me  it  does  not  seem  that  I  am  a  creature  so  terrific 
that  thou  need'st  dread  my  presence,"  continued  the  gay 
mariner,  with  a  smile  that  expressed  as  much  of  secret  irony, 
as  of  that  pensive  character  which  had  again  taken  possession 
of  his  countenance;  "but  ring,  and  bring  your  attendants  to 
relieve  fears  that  are  natural  to  thy  sex,  and  therefore  seducing 
to  mine.  Shall  I  pull  the  cord  ? — for  this  pretty  hand  trem 
bles  too  much  to  do  its  office.1' 

"  I  know  not  that  any  would  answer,  for  it  is  past  the  hour 
of  attendance ;  it  is  better  that  I  go  to  the  examination  of  the 
bales.1' 

The  strange  and  singularly-attired  being,  who  occasioned  so 
much  uneasiness  to  Alida,  regarded  her  a  moment  with  a  kind 
and  melancholy  solicitude. 

"  Thus  they  are  all,  tUl  altered  by  too  much  intercourse  with 
a  cold  and  corrupt  world  !  "  he  rather  whispered,  than  uttered 
aloud.  "Would  that  thus  they  might  all  continue!  Thou 
art  a  singular  compound  of  thy  sex's  weakness  and  of  manly 
resolution,  belle  Barberie ;  but  trust  me,"  and  he  laid  his 
hand  on  his  heart  with  an  earnestness  that  spoke  well  for  his 
sincerity,  **  ere  word,  or  act,  to  harm  or  to  offend  thee,  should 
proceed  from  any  who  obey  will  of  mine,  Nature  itself  must 
undergo  a  change.  Start  not,  for  I  call  one  to  show  the  speci 
men  you  would  see." 

He  then  applied  a  little  silver  whistle  to  his  lips,  and  drew  a 
low  signal  from  the  instrument,  motioning  to  Alida  to  await  the 
result  without  alarm.  In  half  a  minute,  there  was  a  rustling 
among  the  leaves  of  the  shrubbery,  a  moment  of  attentive 
pause,  and  then  a  dark  object  entered  the  window,  and  rolled 
heavily  to  the  centre  of  the  floor. 

"  Here  are  commodities,  and  trust  me  the  price  shall  not  be 
dwelt  on  between  us,"  resumed  Master  Seadrift,  undoing  the 
fastenings  of  the  little  bate,  that  h*d  ep'ered  the  saloon  seem- 


90  THE    WATER-WITClf, 

ingly  without  the  aid  of  hands.  '*  These  goods  are  so  many 
gages  of  neutrality  between  us;  so  approach  and  examine 
without  fear.  You  will  find  some  among  them  to  reward  the 
hazard." 

The  bale  was  now  open,  and,  as  its  master  appeared  to  be 
singularly  expert  in  suiting  a  female  fancy,  it  became  im 
possible  for  Alida  to  resist  any  longer.  She  gradually  lost  her 
reserve,  as  the  examination  proceeded  ;  and  before  the  owner 
of  the  treasures  had  got  into  the  third  of  his  packages,  the 
hands  of  the  heiress  were  as  actively  employed  as  his  own,  in 
gaining  access  to  their  view. 

"This  is  a  stuff  of  the  Lombard  territories,"  said  the 
vender  of  the  goods,  pleased  with  the  confidence  he  had  sue  • 
ceeded  in  establishing  between  his  beautiful  customer  and  him 
self.  "Thou  seest,  it  is  rich,  flowery,  and  variegated  as  the 
land  it  came  from.  One  might  fancy  the  vines  and  vegetation 
of  that  deep  soil  were  shooting  from  this  labor  of  the  loom — 
nay,  the  piece  is  sufficient  for  any  toiler,  however  ample;  see, 
it  is  endless  as  the  plains  that  reared  the  little  animal  who  sup 
plies  the  texture.  I  have  parted  of  that  fabric  to  many  dames 
of  England,  who  have  not  disdained  to  traffic  with  one  that 
risks  much  in  their  behalf." 

"I  fear  there  are  many  who  find  a  pleasure  in  these  stuffs, 
chiefly  because  their  use  is  forbidden." 

"  'Twould  not  be  out  of  nature !  Look  ;  this  box  contains 
ornaments  of  the  elephant's  tooth,  cut  by  a  cunning  artificer 
in  the  far  Eastern  lands ;  they  do  not  disfigure  a  lady's  dress 
ing-table,  and  have  a  moral,  for  they  remind  her  of  countries 
where  the  sex  is  less  happy  than  at  home.  Ah!  here  is 'a 
treasure  of  Mechlin,  wrought  in  a  fashion  of  my  own  de 
sign." 

"  'Tis  beautifully  fancied,  and  might  do  credit  to  one  who 
professed  the  painter's  art." 

"My  youth  was  much  employed  in  these  conceits,"  re-, 
turned  the  trader,  unfolding  the  rich  and  delicate  lace,  in  a 
manner  to  show  that  he  had  still  pleasure  in  contemplating  its 
texture  and  quality.  "  There  was  a  compact  between  me  and : 
the  maker,  that  enough  should  be  furnished  to  reach  from  the 
high  church-tower  of  his  town  to  the  pavement  beneath  ;  and 
yet,  you  see  how  little  remains  !  The  London  dames  found  it 
to  their  taste,  and  it  was  not  easy  to  bring  even  this  trifle  into 
the  colonies." 

"  You  chose  a  remarkable  measure  for  an  article  that  was 


THE  WATER-WTTCH,  91 

to  visit  so  many  different  countries,  without  the  formalities  of 
law." 

"  We  thought  to  start  in  favor  of  the  Church,  which  rarely 
frowns  on  those  who  respect  its  privileges.  Under  the  sanc 
tion  of  such  authority,  I  will  lay  aside  all  that  remains,  certain 
it  will  be  needed  for  thy  use." 

* <  So  rare  a  manufacture  should  be  costly  ?  " 

La  belle  Barberie  spoke  hesitatingly,  and,  as  she  raised  her 
eyes,  they  met  the  dark  organs  of  her  companion,  fixed  on  her 
face,  in  a  manner  that  seemed  to  express  a  consciousness  of 
the  ascendency  he  was  gaining.  Startled,  at  she  knew  not 
what,  the  maiden  again  added,  hastily : 

"  This  may  be  fitter  for  a  court  lady  than  a  girl  of  the  col 
onies." 

"  None  who  have  yet  worn  of  it  so  well  become  it ;  I  lay 
it  here,  as  a  make-weight  in  my  bargain  with  the  alderman. — . 
This  is  satin  of  Tuscany ;  a  country  where  Nature  exhibits  its 
extremes,  and  one  whose  merchants  were  princes.  Your 
Florentine  was  subtle  in  his  fabrics,  and  happy  in  his  conceits 
of  forms  and  colors,  for  which  he  stood  indebted  to  the  riches 
Of  his  own  climate.  Observe — the  hue  of  this  glossy  surface  is 
scarcely  so  delicate  as  I  have  seen  the  rosy  light,  at  even,  play 
ing  on  the  sides  of  his  Apennines  !  " 

"  You  have  then  visited  the  regions  in  whose  fabrics  you 
deal  ?  "  said  Alida,  suffering  the  articles  to  fall  from  her  hand, 
in  the  stronger  interest  she  began  to  feel  in  their  owner. 

<c  'Tis  my  habit.  Here  have  we  a  chain  from  the  city  of 
the  isles.  The  hand  of  a  Venetian  could  alone  form  these  deli 
cate  and  nearly  insensible  links.  I  refused  a  string  of  spotless 
pearls  for  that  same  golden  web." 

"  It  was  indiscreet,  in  one  who  trades  at  so  much  hazard.'* 

"  Ikept  the  bavvble  for  my  pleasure  ! — Whim  is  sometimes 
stronger  than  the  thirst  of  gain  ;  and  this  chain  does  not  quit 
me  till  I  bestow  it  on  the  lady  of  my  love." 

"  One  so  actively  employed  can  scarcely  spare  time  to  seek 
a  fitting  object  for  the  gift." 

"  Is  merit  and  loveliness  in  the  sex  so  rare  ?  La  belle  Bar 
berie  speaks  in  the  security  of  many  conquests,  or  she  would 
not  deal  thus  lightly  in  a  matter  that  is  so  serious  with  most 
females." 

"Among  other  countries  your  vessel  hath  visited  a  land  of 
witchcraft,  or  you  would  not  pretend  to  a  knowledge  of  things, 
that,  in  their  very  nature,  must  be  hidden  from  a  stranger. — • 
Of  what  value  may  be  those  beautiful  feathers  of  the  ostrich  ?  '* 


92  THE    WATER-WITCH- 

"They  came  of  swarthy  Africa,  though  so  spotless  them- 
selves.  The  bunch  was  had,  by  secret  traffic,  from  a  Moorish 
man,  in  exchange  for  a  few  skins  of  Lachryma  Christi,  that 
he  swallowed  with  his  eyes  shut.  I  dealt  with  the  fellow  only 
in  pity  for  his  thirst,  and  do  not  pride  myself  on  the  value  of 
the  commodity.  It  shall  go,  too,  to  quicken  love  between  me 
and  thy  uncle." 

Alida  could  not  object  to  this  liberality,  though  she  was  not 
without  a  secret  opinion  that  ttoe  gifts  were  no  more  than  deli 
cate  and  well-concealed  offerings  to  herself.  The  effect  of 
this  suspicion  was  twofold  :  it  caused  the  maiden  to  become 
more  reserved  in  the  expression  of  her  tastes,  though  it  in  no 
degree  lessened  her  confidence  in,  and  admiration  of,  the  way 
ward  and  remarkable  trader. 

"  My  uncle  will  have  cause  to  commend  thy  generous 
spirit,"  said  the  heiress,  bending  her  head  a  little  coldly,  at 
this  repeated  declaration  of  her  companion's  intentions, 
"  though  it  would  seem  that,  in  trade,  justice  is  as  much  to  be 
desired  as  generosity — this  seemeth  a  curious  design,  wrought 
with  the  needle  !  " 

"  It  is  the  labor  of  many  a  day,  fashioned  by  the  hand  of  a  re 
cluse.  I  bought  it  of  a  nun,  in  France,  who  passed  years  in 
toil  upon  the  conceit,  which  is  of  more  value  than  the  mate 
rial.  The  meek  daughter  of  solitude  wept  when  she  parted 
with  the  fabric,  for,  in  her  eyes,  it  had  the  tie  of  association 
and  habit.  A  companion  might  be  lost  to  one  who  lives  in 
the  confusion  of  the  world,  and  it  should  not  cause  more  real 
sorrow  than  parting  from  the  product  of  her  needle  gave  thai 
mild  resident  of  the  cloisters  !  " 

' '  And  is  it  permitted  for  your  sex  to  visit  those  places  of 
religious  retirement  ?  "  asked  Alida.  *'  I  come  of  a  race  that 
pays  little  deference  to  monastic  life,  for  we  are  refugees  from 
the  severity  of  Louis ;  but  yet  I  never  heard  my  father  charge 
these  females  with  being  so  regardless  of  their  vows." 

«•  The  fact  was  so  repeated  to  me  ;  for,  surely,  my  sex  are 
not  admitted  to  traffic,  directly,  with  the  modest  sisters"  ;a 
smile,  that  Alida  was  half  disposed  to  think  bold,  played 
about  the  handsome  mouth  of  the  speaker)  ;  ««  but  it  was  so 
reported.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  merit  of  woman,  in 
thus  seeking  refuge  from  the  cares,  and  haply  from  the  sins,  of 
the  world,  in  institutions  of  this  order?  " 

"  Truly  the  question  exceedeth  my  knowledge.     This  is  not 
a  country  to  immure  females,  and  the  custom  causes  us  of 
a  little  thought" 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  93 

1i  The  usage  hath  its  abuses,"  continued  the  dealer  in  con 
traband,  speaking  thoughtfully;  "but  it  is  not  without  its 
good.  There  are  many  of  the  weak  and  vain,  that  would  be 
happier  in  the  cloisters,  than  if  l&ft  to  the  seductions  and  fol 
lies  of  life.  Ah  !  here  is  work  of  English  hands.  I  scarcely 
know  how  the  articles  found  their  way  into  the  company  of 
the  products  of  the  foreign  looms.  My  bales  contain,  in  gen 
eral,  little  that  is  vulgarly  sanctioned  by  the  law.  Speak  me 
frankly,  belle  Alida,  and  say  if  you  share  in  the  prejudices 
against  the  character  of  us  free-traders?  " 

"  I  pretend  not  to  judge  of  regulations  that  exceed  the 
knowledge  and  practices  of  my  sex,"  returned  the  maiden, 
with  commendable  reserve.  "  There  are  some  who  think  the 
abuse  of  power  a  justification  of  its  resistance,  while  others 
deem  a  breach  of  law  to  be  a  breach  of  morals." 

"  The  latter  is  the  doctrine  of  your  man  of  invested  moneys 
and  established  fortune  !  He  has  intrenched  his  gains  behind 
acknowledged  barriers,  and  he  preaches  their  sanctity,  because 
they  favor  his  selfishness.  We  skimmers  of  the  sea — " 

Alida  started  so  suddenly  as  to  cause  her  companion  to  cease 
speaking. 

* '  Are  my  words  frightful,  that  you  pale  at  their  sound  ?  " 

"  I  hope  they  are  used  rather  in  accident  than  with  their 
dreaded  meaning.  I  would  not  have  it  said — no  !  'tis  but  a 
chance  that  springs  from  some  resemblance  in  your  callings.  One 
like  you  can  never  be  the  man  whose  name  has  grown  into  • 
proverb  !  " 

"  One  like  me,  beautiful  Alida,  is  much  as  Fortune  wills. 
Of  what  man,  or  of  what  name  wouldst  speak  ?  " 

"  'Tis  nothing,"  returned  la  belle  Barberie,  gazing  uncon 
sciously  at  the  polished  and  graceful  features  of  the  stranger, 
longer  than  was  wont  in  maiden.  "  Proceed  with  your  ex 
planation — these  are  rich  velvets  !  " 

"They  come  of  Venice,  too;  but  commerce  is  like  the 
favor  which  attends  the  rich,  and  the  queen  of  the  Adriatic,  is 
already  far  on  the  decline.  That  which  causes  the  increase  of 
the  husbandman  occasions  the  downfall  of  a  city.  The  lagunes 
are  filling  with  fat  soil,  and  the  keel  of  the  trader  is  less  fre 
quent  there  than  of  old.  Ages  hence,  the  plough  may  trace 
furrows  where  the  Bucentaur  has  floated  !  The  outer  India 
passage  has  changed  the  current  of  prosperity,  which  ever 
/ushes  in  the  widest  and  newest  track.  Nations  might  learn 
a  moral,  by  studying  the  sleepy  canals  and  instructive  magnifi 
cence  of  that  fallen  town ;  but  pride  fattens  on  its  own  lazy 


94  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

recollections,  to  the  last ! — As  I  was  saying,  we  rovers  deal 
little  in  musty  maxims,  that  are  made  by  the  great  and  pros 
perous  at  home,  and  are  trumpeted  abroad,  in  order  that  the 
weak  and  unhappy  should  be  the  more  closely  riveted  in  their 
fetters." 

"  Methinks  you  push  the  principle  further  than  is  necessary, 
for  one  whose  greatest  offence  against  established  usage  is  a  lit 
tle  hazardous  commerce.  These  are  opinions  that  might  un 
settle  the  world." 

"Rather  settle  it,  by  referring  all  to  the  rule  of  right. 
When  governments  shall  lay  their  foundations  in  natural  jus 
tice,  when  their  object  shall  be  to  remove  the  temptations  to 
err,  instead  of  creating  them,  and  when  bodies  of  men  shall 
feel  and  acknowledge  the  responsibilities  of  individuals— why, 
then  the  Water- Witch  herself  might  become  a  revenue-cutter, 
and  her  owner  an  officer  of  the  customs.1' 

The  velvet  fell  from  the  hands  of  la  belle  Barberie,  and  she 
arose  from  her  seat  with  precipitation^ 

"  Speak  plainly,"  said  Alida,  with  all  her  natural  firmness. 
"  With  whom  am  I  about  to  traffic?" 

"  An  outcast  of  society — a  man  condemned  in  the  opinions 
of  the  world — the  outlaw — the  flagrant  wanderer  of  the  ocean — 
the  lawless  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  "  cried  a  voice  at  the  open 
window. 

In  another  minute  Ludlow  was  m  the  room.  Alida  uttered 
a  shriek,  veiled  her  face  in  her  robe,  and  rushed  from  the 
apartment. 


CHAPTER  XL 

«  Truth  will  come  to  light ; 
Murder  cannot  be  hid  long,  a  man's  son  may  ; 
But  in  the  end,  truth  will  out." 

LAUNCELC*. 

THE  officer  of  the  queen  had  leaped  into  the  pavilion  with 
the  flushed  features  and  all  the  hurry  of  an  excited  man.  The 
exclamations  and  retreat  of  la  belle  Barberie,  for  a  single  mo 
ment,  diverted  his  attention  ;  then  he  turned,  suddenly,  not  to 
say  fiercely,  toward  her  companion.  It  is  not  necessary  to  re 
peat  the  description  of  the  stranger's  person,  in  order  to  ren 
der  the  change  which  instantly  occurred  in  the  countenance 
of  Ludlow  intelligible  to  the  reader.  His  eye,  at  first,  refused 


THE    WATER-WITCH  9* 

to  believe  there  was  no  other  present;  and  when  it  had,  again 
and  again,  searched  the  whole  apartment,  it  returned  to  the 
face  and  form  of  the  dealer  in  contraband,  with  an  expression 
of  incredulity  and  wonder. 

"Here  is  some  mistake!'*  exclaimed  the  commander  of 
the  Coquette,  after  time  had  been  given  for  a  thorough  exam- 
ination  of  the' room. 

'*  Your  gentle  manner  of  entrance,"  returned  the  stranger, 
across  whose  face  there  had  passed  a  glow  that  might  have 
come  equally  of  anger  or  surprise,  "has  driven  the  lady  from 
the  room.  But,  as  your  wear  the  livery  of  the  queen,  I  pre 
sume  you  have  authority  for  invading  the  dwelling  of  the  sub 
ject?" 

**I  had  believed — nay,  there  was  reason  to  be  certain,  that 
one  whom  all  of  proper  loyalty  execrate,  was  to  be  found 
here,"  stammered  the  still  confused  Ludlow.  ''There  can 
scarce  be  a  deception,  for  I  plainly  heard  the  discourse  of  my 
captors,  and  yet  here  is  none  !  " 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  high  consideration  you  bestow  on  my 
presence." 

The  manner,  rather  than  the  words,  of  the  speaker,  induced 
Ludlow  to  rivet  another  look  on  his  countenance.  There  was 
a  mixed  expression  of  doubt,  admiration/  and  possibly  of  Un 
easiness,  if  not  of  actual  jealousy,  in  the  eye,  which  slowly 
read  all  his  lineaments,  though  the  former  Seemed  the  stronger 
sensation  of  the  three. 

"We  have  never  met  before!"  cried  Ludlow,  when  the 
organ  began  to  grow  dim  with  the  length  and  steadiness  of  its 
gaze. 

"••The  ocean  has  many  paths,  and  men  may  journey  on  them 
long  without  crossing  each  other." 

"Thou  hast  served  the  queen,  though  I  see  thee  in  this 
doubtful  situation  ?  " 

"Never,  I  am  not  one  to  bind  myself  to  the  servitude  of 
any  woman  that  lives,"  returned  the  free-trader,  while  a  mild 
smile  played  about  his  lip,  "  though  she  wore  a  thousand  dia 
dems;  Anne  never  had  an  hour  of  my  time  nor  a  single  wish 
•of  my  heart."  ' 

"  This  is  bold  language,  sir,  for  the  ear  of  her  officer.  The 
arrival  of  an  unknown  brigantine,  certain  incidents  which 
have  occurred  to  myself  this  night,  your  presence  here,  that 
bale  of  articles  forbidden  by  the  law,  create  suspicions  that 
must  be  satisfied.  Who  are  you  ?  " 

*'  The  flagrant  wanderer  of  the  ocean — the  outcast  of  society 


96  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

— the  condemned  in  the  opinions  of  the  world — the  lawleai 
Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  " 

"  This  cannot  be  1  The  tongues  of  men  speak  of  the  per 
sonal  deformity  of  that  wanderer,  no  less  than  of  his  bold 
disregard  of  the  law.  You  would  deceive  me." 

"  If,  then,  men  err  so  much  in  that  which  is  visible  and 
unimportant,"  returned  the  other,  proudly,  "  is  there  not  rea 
son  to  doubt  their  accuracy  in  matters  of  more  weight  ?  1  am 
surely  what  I  seem,  if  I  am  not  what  I  say." 

"I  will  not  credit  so  improbable  a  tale.  Give  me  some 
proof  that  what  I  hear  is  true." 

"  Look  at  that  brigantine,  whose  delicate  spars  are  almost 
confounded  with  the  background  of  trees,"  said  the  other, 
approaching  the  window,  and  directing  the  attention  of  his 
companion  to  the  cove.  "  'Tis  the  bark  that  has  so  often  foiled 
the  efforts  of  all  thy  cruisers,  and  which  transports  me  and  my 
wealth  whither  I  will,  without  the  fetters  of  arbitrary  laws,  and 
the  meddling  inquiries  of  venal  hirelings.  The  scud,  which 
floats  above  the  sea,  is  not  freer  than  that  vessel,  and  scarcely 
more  swift.  Well  is  she  named  the  Water-Witch  !  for  her 
performances  on  the  wide  ocean  have  been  such  as  seem  to 
exceed  all  natural  means.  The  froth  of  the  sea  does  not  dance 
more  lightly  above  the  waves  than  yonder  graceful  fabric,  when 
driven  by  the  breeze.  She  is  a  thing  to  be  loved,  Ludlow  ; 
trust  me,  I  never  yet  set  affections  on  woman  with  the  warmth 
I  feel  for  the  faithful  and  beautiful  machine !  " 

'•  This  is  little  more  than  any  mariner  could  say,  in  praise 
of  "a  vessel  that  he  admired." 

"  Will  you  say  it,  sir,  in  favor  of  yon  lumbering  sloop 
iof  Queen  Anne  ?  Your  Coquette  is  none  of  the  fairest, 
find  there  was  more  of  pretension  than  of  truth  at  hei 
thristening." 

' '  By  the  title  of  my  royal  mistress,  young  beardless,  but 
<>here  is  an  insolence  in  this  language  that  might  become  him 
you  wish  to  represent  !  My  ship,  heavy  or  light  of  foot  as 
she  may  be,  is  fated  to  bring  yonder  false  trader  to  the  judg 
ment." 

"  By  the  craft  and  qualities  of  the  Water- Witch  !  but  thii  is 
'language  that  might  become  one  who  was  at  liberty  to  act  his 
pleasure,"  returned  the  stranger,  tauntingly  imitating  the  tone 
in  which  his  angry  companion  had  spoken.  "You  would  have 
proof  of  my  identity :  listen.  There  is  one  who  vaunts  his 
powerf  that  forgets  he  is  a  dupe  of  my  agent;  and  that 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  <£> 

even  while  his  words  are  so  full  of  boldness,  he  is  a 
captive  !  *' 

The  brown  cheek  of  Ludlow  reddened,  and  he  turned  to 
ward  the  lighter  and  far  less  vigorous  frame  of  his  companion 
as  if  about  to  strike  him  to  the  earth,  when  a  door  opened,  and 
Alida  appeared  in  the  saloon. 

The  meeting  between  the  commander  of  the  Coquette  and 
his  mistress  was  not  without  embarrassment.  The  anger  of 
the  former  and  the  confusion  of  the  latter  for  s.  moment  kept 
both  silent ;  but,  as  la  belle  Barberie  had  not  returned  without 
an  object,  she  was  quick  to  speak. 

"  I  know  not  whether  to  approve  or  to  condemn  the  bold 
ness  that  has  prompted  Captain  Ludlow  to  enter  my  pavilion, 
at  this  unseasonable  hour,  and  in  so  unceremonious  a  manner," 
she  said,  "for  I  am  still  ignorant  of  his  motive.  When  h« 
shall  please  to  let  me  hear  it,  I  may  judge  better  of  the  merit 
of  the  excuse." 

"  True,  we  will  hear  his  explanation,  before  condemnation,*' 
added  the  stranger,  offering  a  seat  to  Alida,  which  she 
coldly  declined.  "  Beyond  a  doubt  the  gentleman  has  a 
motive." 

If  looks  could  have  destroyed,  the  speaker  would  ha^W! 
been  annihilated.  But,  as  the  lady  seemed  indifferent 
ta  the  last  remark,  Ludlow  prepared  to  enter  on  his  vindica* 
tion. 

"I  shall  not  attempt  to  conceal  that  an  artifice  "has  been 
practised,"  he  said,  "  which  is  accompanied  by  consequences 
that  I  find  awkward.  The  air  and  manner  of  the  seaman 
•vhose  bold  conduct  you  witnessed  in  the  boat,  induced  me  to 
confide  in  him  more  than  was  prudent,  and  I  have  been  re 
warded  by  deception." 

''In  other  words,  Captain  Ludlow  is  not  as  sagacious 
as  he  had  reason  to  believe,"  said  an  ironical  voice  at  his 
elbow. 

"  In  what  manner  am  I  to  blame,  or  why  is  my  privacy  to 
be  interrupted,  because  a  wandering  seaman  has  deceived  the 
commander  of  the  Coquette?"  rejoined  Alida.  "Not  only 
that  audacious  mariner,  but  this — this  person,"  she  added, 
adopting  a  word  that  use  has  appropriated  to  the  mulitude,  "  is 
a  stranger  to  me.  There  is  no  other  connection  between  us 
than  that  you  see." 

"It  is  not  necessary  to  say  why  I  landed,"  continued  Lud 
low  :  "but  I  was  weak  enough  to  allow  that  unknown  marinei 
to  quit  my  ship  in  my  company ;  incU  when  I  would  r* 


9#  THE    WA  TER-  WITCH. 

turn,  he  found  means  to  disarm  my  men,  and  make  me  a  pris 
oner." 

"And  yet  art  thou,  for  a  captive,  tolerably  free!1'  added 
the  ironical  voice. 

"  Of  what  service  is  this  freedom,  without  the  means  of 
using  it  ?  The  sea  separates  me  from  my  ship,  and  my  faith 
ful  boat's  crew  are  in  fetters.  I  have  been  little  watched  my* 
self;  but  though  forbidden  to  approach  certain  points,  enough 
has  been  seen  to  leave  no  doubts  of  the  character  of  those 
whom  Alderman  Van  Beverout  entertains." 

"  Thou  wouldst  also  say,  and  his  niece,  Ludlow." 

"•I  would  say  nothing  harsh  to,  or  disrespectful  of, 
Alida  de  Barberie.  I  will  not  deny  that  a  harrowing  idea 
possessed  me ;  but  I  see  my  error,  and  repent  having  been  so 
hasty." 

"  We  may  then  resume  our  commerce,"  said  the  trader, 
coolly  seating  himself  before  the  open  bale,  while  Ludlow  and 
the  maiden  stood  regarding  each  other  in  mute  surprise.  "  It 
is  pleasant  to  exhibit  these  forbidden  treasures  to  an  officer  of 
the  queen.  It  may  prove  the  means  of  gaining  the  royal  pat 
ronage.  We  were  last  among  the  velvets,  and  on  the  lagunes, 
of  Venice.  Here  is  one  of  a  color  and  quality  to  form  a  bridal 
dress  for  the  doge  himself,  in  his  nuptials  with  the  sea.  We 
men  of  the  ocean  look  upon  that  ceremony  as  a  pledge  Hymen 
will  not  forget  us,  though  we  may  wander  from  his  alters.  Do 
I  justice  to  the  faith  of  the  craft,  Captain  Ludlow? — or  are 
you  a  sworn  devotee  of  Neptune,  and  content  to  breathe  your 
sighs  to  Venus,  when  afloat  ?  Well,  if  the  damps  and  salt  air 
of  the  ocean  rust  the  golden  chain,  it  is  the  fault  of  cruel  Na 
ture  ! — Ah  !  here  is " 

A  shrill  whistle  sounded  among  the  shrubbery,  and  the 
speaker  became  mute.  Throwing  his  clothes  carelessly  on  the 
bale,  he  arose  again,  and  seemed  to  hesitate.  Throughout  the 
the  interview  with  Ludlow,  the  air  of  the  free-trader  had  been 
mild,  though  at  times  it  was  playful ;  and  not  for  an  instant 
had  he  seemed  to  return  the  resentment  which  the  other  had 
so  plainly  manifested.  It  now  became  perplexed,  and,  by  the 
workings  of  his  features,  it  would  seem  that  he  vacillated 
in  his  opinions.  The  sounds  of  the  whistle  were  heard 
again. 

"  Ay,  ay,  Master  Tom  !  "  muttered  the  dealer  in  contraband. 
"  Thy  note  is  audible,  but  why  this  haste  ? — Beautiful  Alida, 
this  shrill  summons  is  to  say,  that  the  moment  of  parting  if 
arrived ! r 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  99 

**  We  met  with  less  of  preparation,"  returned  la  belle  Bar- 
b&rie,  who  preserved  alt  the  distant  reserve  of  her  sex,  under 
the  jealous  eyes  of  her  admirer. 

"We  met  without  a  warning,  but  shall  our  separation  be 
without  a  memorial  ?  Am  I  to  return  with  all  these  valuables 
to  the  brigantine,  or  in  their  place  must  I  take  the  customary 
golden  tribute?  " 

"I  know  not  that  I  dare  make  a  traffic  which  is  not  sanc 
tioned  by  the  law  in  presence  of  a  servant  of  the  queen,"  re 
turned  Alida,  smiling.  "  I  will  not  deny  that  you  have  much 
to  excite  a  woman's  envy;  but  our  royal  mistress  might 
forget  her  sex,  and  show  little  pity,  were  she  to  hear  of  my 
weakness." 

"No  fear  of  that,  lady.  'Tis  they  who  are  most  stern  in 
creating  these  harsh  regulations  that  show  most  fraility  in  their 
breach.  By  the  virtues  of  honest  Leadenhall  itself,  but  I  should 
like  to  tempt  the  royal  Anne  in  her  closet  with  such  a  display 
of  goodly  laces  and  heavy  brocades." 

"  That  might  be  more  hazardous  than  wise  !  " 

"  I  know  not.  Though  seated  on  a  throne,  she  is  but 
woman.  Disguise  Nature  as  thou  wilt,  she  is  a  universal 
tyrant,  and  governs  all  alike.  The  head  that  wears  a  crown 
dreams  of  the  conquests  of  the  sex,  rather  than  the  conquests 
of  states ;  the  hand  that  wields  the  sceptre  is  fitted  to  display 
its  prettiness  with  the  pencil  or  the  needle  ;  and,  though  words 
and  ideas  may  be  taught  and  sounded  forth  with  the  pomp  of 
royalty,  the  tone  is  still  that  of  woman." 

"  Without  bringing  into  question  the  merits  of  our  present 
royal  mistress,"  said  Alida,  who  was  a  little  apt  to  assert  her 
sex's  rights,  "  there  is  the  example  of  the  glorious  Elizabeth., 
to  refute  his  charge." 

."  Ay,  we  have  had  our  Cleopatras  in  the  sea-fight,  and  fear 
was  found  stronger  than  love  !  The  sea  has  monsters,  and  so 
may  have  the  land.  '  He  that  made  the  earth  gave  it  laws  that 
'tis  not  good  to  break.  We  men  are  jealous  of  our  qualities, 
and  little  like  to  see  them  usurped  ;  and  trust  me,  lady,  she 
that  forgets  the  means  that  Nature  bestows,  may  mourn  in  sor 
row  over  the  fatal  error.  But  shall  we  deal  in  velvet,  or  is 
your  taste  more  leaning  to  brocade  ?  " 

Alida  and  Ludlow  listened  in  admiration  to  the  capricious 
and  fanciful  language  of  the  unaccountable  trader,  and  both 
were  equally  at  a  loss  to  estimate  his  character.  The  equivocal 
air  was  in  general  well  maintained,  though  the  commander  of 
the  Coquette  had  detected  an  earnestness  and  feeling  in  hi& 


100  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

manner,  when  he  mou  tjarticuiariy  addressed  la  belle  Barb6 
rie,  that  excited  an  uneasiness  he  was  ashamed  to  admit,  even 
to  himself.  That  the  maiden  herself  observed  this  change, 
might  also  be  inferred  from  a  richer  glow  which  diffused  itself 
over  her  features,  though  it  is  scarce  probable  that  she  was 
conscious  of  its  effects.  When  questioned  as  to  her  determina 
tion  concerning  his  goods,  she  again  regarded  Ludlow  doubt- 
ingly,  ere  she  answered. 

"  That  you  have  not  studied  woman  in  vain,"  she  laugh 
ingly  replied,  "  I  must  fain  acknowledge.  And  yet  ere  I  make 
decision,  suffer  me  to  consult  those  who,  being  more  accus 
tomed  to  deal  with  the  laws,  are  better  judges  of  the  propriety 
of  the  purchases." 

"  If  this  request  were  not  reasonable  in  itself,  it  were  due 
to  your  beauty  and  station,  lady,  to  grant  it.  I  leave  the  bale 
in  your  care ;  and,  before  to-morrow's  sun  has  set,  one  will 
await  the  answer. — Captain  Ludlow,  are  we  to  part  in  friend 
ship,  or  does  your  duty  to  the  queen  proscribe  the  word  ?  " 

"  If  what  you  seem,"  said  Ludlow,  "  you  are  a  being  in 
explicable  !  If  this  be  some  masquerade,  as  I  half  supect,  'tis 
well  maintained  at  least,  though  not  worthily  assumed." 

*«  You  are  not  the  first  who  has  refused  credit  to  his  senses 
in  a  manner  wherein  the  Water- Witch  and  her  commander 
have  been  concerned. — Peace,  honest  Tom  ;  thy  whistles  will 
not  hasten  Father  Time  ! — Friend  or  not,  Captain  Ludlow 
need  not  be  told  he  is  my  prisoner.  'J 

"  That  I  have  fallen  into  the  pow>er  of  a  miscreant — " 

"  Hist  ! — if  thou  hast  love  for  bodily  ease  and  whole  bones. 
Master  Thomas  Tiller  is  a  man  of  rude  humor,  and  he  as  little 
likes  contumely  as  another.  Besides,  the  honest  mariner  did 
but  obey  my  orders,  and  his  character  is  protected  by  a  supe 
rior  responsibility." 

"Thy  orders  !"  repeated  Ludlow,  with  an  expression  of 
eye  and  lip  that  might  have  offended  one  more  disposed  to 
take  offence  than  him  he  addressed.  "  The  fellow  who  so  well 
succeeded  in  his  artifice  is  one  much  more  likely  to  command 
than  to  obey.  If  any  here  be  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,  it  is 
he." 

"  We  are  no  more  than  the  driving  spray  which  goes  whither 
the  winds  list.  But  in  what  hath  the  man  offended  that  he 
finds  so  little  favor  with  the  queen's  captain  ?  He  has  not  had 
the  boldness  to  propose  a  secret  traffic  with  so  loyal  a 
gentleman." 

"  'Tis.well,  sir ;  you  choose  a  happy  occasion  for  this  plea* 


THE    WATERWJTCH, 

antry.  I  landed  to  manifest  the  respect  that  I  feel  for  thia 
lady,  and  I  care  not  if  the  world  knows  the  object  of  the  visit 
'Twas  no  silly  artifice  that  led  me  hither." 

11  Spoken  with  the  frankness  of  a  seaman  !  "  said  the  inex 
plicable  dealer  in  contraband,  though  his  color  lessened  and 
his  voice  appeared  to  hesitate.  "  I  admire  this  loyalty  in  man 
to  woman  ;  for,  as  custom  has  so  strongly  fettered  them  in  the 
expression  of  their  inclinations,  it  is  due  from  us  to  leave  as 
little  doubt  as  possible  of  our  intentions.  It  is  difficult  to 
think  that  la  belle  Barberie  can  do  wiser  than  to  reward  so 
much  manly  udmiration." 

The  stranger  cast  a  glance,  which  Alida  fancied  betrayed 
solicitude,  as  he  spoke,  at  the  maiden,  and  he  appeared  to 
expect  she  would  reply. 

"  When  the  time  shall  come  for  a  decision,"  returned  the 
half-pleased  and  yet  half- offended  subject  of  his  allusion,  "  it 
may  be  necessary  to  call  upon  very  different  counsellors  for 
advice.  I  hear  the  step  of  my  uncle. — Captain  Ludlow,  I 
leave  it  to  your  discretion  to  meet  him  or  not." 

The  heavy  footstep  was  approaching  through  the  outer  rooms 
of  the  pavilion.  Ludlow  hesitated  ;  cast  a  reproachful  look 
at  his  mistress ;  then  he  instantly  quitted  the  apartment  by  the 
place  through  which  he  had  entered.  A  noise  in  the  shrub 
bery  sufficiently  proved  that  his  return  was  expected,  and  that 
he  was  closely  watched. 

"  Noah's  Ark,  and  our  grandmothers  !  "  exclaimed  Myndert, 
appearing  at  the  door  with  a  face  red  with  his  exertions. 
* '  You  have  brought  us  the  cast-off  finery  of  our  ancestors, 
Master  Seadrift.  Here  are  stuffs  of  an  age  that  is  past,  and 
they  should  be  bartered  for  gold  that  hath  been  spent." 

"  What  now  !  what  now  !  "  responded  the  free-trader, 
whose  tone  and  manner  seemed  to  change  at  will,  in  order  to 
suit  the  humor  of  whomsoever  he  was  brought  to  speak  with. 
"  What  now,  pertinacious  burgher,  that  thou  shouldst  cry 
down  wares  that  are  but  too  good  for  these  distant  regions  ! 
Many  is  the  English  duchess  who  pines  to  possess  but  the  tithe 
of  these  beautiful  stuffs  I  offer  thy  niece  ;  and,  faith,  rare  is 
the  English  duchess  that  would  become  them  half  so  well !  " 

' '  The  girl  is  seemly,  and  thy  velvets  and  brocades  are  pas 
sible,  but  the  heavy  articles  are  not  fit  to  offer  to  a  Mohawk 
saehem.  There  must  be  a  reduction  of  prices,  or  the  invoice 
cannot  pass." 

"  The  greater  the  pity.  But  if  sail  we  must,  sail  we  will  S 
The  brigantine  knows  the  channel  over  the  Nantucket  sand«  * 


fp2  XHE   WATER-WITCH. 

and, 'my  lite  oh  it!  the  Yankees  will  find  others  than  the 
Mohawks  for  chapmen." 

"  Thou  art  as  quick  in  thy  notions,  Master  Seadnft,  as  the 
boat  itself.  Who  said  that  a  compromise  might  not  be  made 
•when  discussion  was  prudently  and  fairly  exhausted  ?  Strike 
off  the  odd  florins,  leave  the  balance  in  round  thousands,  and 
thy  trade  is  done  for  the  season  !  " 

'*  Not  a  stiver.  Here,  count  me  back  the  faces  of  the 
Braganza;  throw  enough  of  thin  ducats  into  the  scales  to 
make  up  the  sum,  and  let  thy  slaves  push  inlarid  with  the 
articles,  before  the  morning  light  comes  to  tell  the  story. 
Here  has  been  one  among  us  who  may  do  mischief,  if  he  will; 
though  I  know  not  how  far  he  is  master  of  the  main  secret." 

Alderman  Van  Beverout  stared  a  little  wildly  about  him, 
adjusted  his  wig,  like  one  fully  conscious  of  the  value  of  ap 
pearances  in  this  world,  and  then  cautiously  drew  the  curtains 
before  the  windows. 

"  I  know  of  none  more  than  common,  my  niece  excepted," 
lie  said,  when  all  these  precautions  had  been  observed.  "  'Tis 
true,  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook  rj  in  the  house ;  but,  as  the 
man  sleeps,  he  is  a  witness  in  our  favor.  We  have  the  testi 
mony  of  his  presence,  while  his  tongue  is  silent." 

"  Well,  be  it  so,"  rejoined  the  free-trader,  reading,  in  the 
imploring  eyes  of  Alida,  a  petition  that  he  would  say  no  more. 
*'  I  knew  by  instinct  there  was  one  unusual,  and  it  wa£  not  for 
me  to  discover  that  he  sleeps.  Trmre  are  dealers  on  the  coast, 
who,  for  the  sake  of  insurance,  woal'.i  charge  his  presence  in 
their  bills." 

"  Say  no  more,  worthy  Master  S? adrift,  and  take  the  gold. 
To  confess  the  truth,  the  goods  are  in  the  pariagua  and  fairly 
out  of  the  river.  I  knew  we  should  come  to  conclusions  in  the 
matter,  and  time  is  precious,  as  there  is  a  cruiser  of  the  queen 
so  nigh.  The  rogues  will  pass  the  pennant,  like  innocent 
market-people,  and  I'll  risk  a  Flemish  gelding  against  a  Vir- 
ninia  nag,  that  they  inquire  if  the  captain  has  no  need  of 
vegetables  for  his  soup  !  Ah-ha-ha-ha  !  That  Ludlow  is  a  sim 
pleton,  niece  of  mine,  and  he  is  not  yet  fit  to  deal  with  men 
of  mature  years.  You'll  think  better  of  his  qualities,  one  day, 
and  bid  him  be  gone  like  an  unwelcome  dun." 

"  I  hope  these  proceedings  may  be  legally  sanctioned, 
ancle?" 

"  Sanctioned  !  Luck  sanctions  all.  It  is  in  trade  as  in  war; 
success  gives  character  and  booty  in  both.  Your  rich  dealer 
$s  sure  to  be  your  honest  dealer.  Plantations  and  orders  ic 


THE    WATERWITCH  1QJ 

Council !  What  are  our  rulers  doing  at  home,  that  they  need 
be  so  vociferous  about  a  little  contraband  ?  The  rogues  will 
declaim  by  the  hour  concerning  bribery  and  corruption,  while 
more  than  half  of  them  get  their  seats  as  clandestinely — ay, 
and.  as  illegally,,  as  you  get  these  rare  Mechlin  laces. — Should 
the  queen  take  offence  at  our  dealings,  Master  Seadrift,  bring 
me  another  season  or  two  as  profitable  as  the  last,  and  I'll  be 
your  passenger  to  London,  go  on  'change,  buy  a  seat  in  Parlia 
ment,  and  answer  to  the  royal  displeasure  from  my  place,  as 
they  call  it.  By  the  responsibility  of  the  States-General  !  but 
I  should  expect,  in  such  a  case,  to  return  Sir  Myndert,  and 
then  the  Manhattanese  might  hear  of  a  Lady  Van  Beverout,  in> 
which  case,  pretty  Alida,  thy  assets  would  be  sadly  dimin 
ished  ! — so  go  to  thy  bed,  child,  and  dream  of  fine  laces,  and 
rich  velvets,  and  duty  to  old  uncles,  and  discretion,  and  all 
manner  of  agreeable  things — kiss  me,  jade,  and  to  thy  pillow.1* 

Alida  obeyed,  and  was  preparing  to  quit  the  room,  when? 
the  free-trader  presented  himself  before  her  with  an  air  at  once 
so  gallant  and  respectful,  that  she  could  scarce  take  offence  at 
the  freedom. 

"  I  should  fail  in  gratituvle,"  he  said,  "  were  I  to  part  from 
so  generous  a  customer  without  thanks  for  her  liberality.  The 
hope  of  meeting  again  will  hasten  my  return." 

"  I  know  not  that  you  are  my  debtor  for  these  thanks,"  re 
turned  Alida,  though  she  saw  that  the  alderman  was  carefully 
collecting  the  contents  of  the  bale,  and  that  he  had  already 
placed  three  or  four  of  the  most  tempting  of  its  articles  on  her 
dressing-table.  "  We  cannot  be  said  to  have  bargained." 

"I  have  parted  with  more  than  is  visible  to  vulgar  eyes," 
returned  the  stranger,  dropping  his  voice,  and  speaking  with 
an  earnestness  that  caused  his  auditor  to  start.  "  Whether 
there  will  be  a  return  for  the  gift,  or  perhaps  I  had  better  call 
it  loss,  time  and  my  stars  must  show  !  " 

He  then  took  her  hand,  and  raised  it  to  his  lips,  by  an 
action  so  graceful  and  so  gentle,  as  not  to  alarm  the  maiden 
until  the  freedom  was  done.  La  belle  Barberie  reddened  to 
her  forehead,  seemed  disposed  to  condemn  the  liberty, 
frowned,  smiled,  and,  courtesying  in  confusion,  withdrew. 

Several  minutes  passed  in  profound  silence,  after  Alida  had 
disappeared.  The  stranger  was  thoughtful,  though  his  bright 
eye  kindled,  as  if  merry  thoughts  were  uppermost ,  and  he 
paced  the  room,  entirely  heedless  of  the  existence  of  the  alder 
man.  The  latter,  however,  scon  took  occasion  to  remind  bis 
companion  of  his  presence. 


104  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

"No  fear  of  the  girl's  prating,"  exclaimed  the  alderman^ 
when  his  task  was  ended.  "  She  is  an  excellent  and  dutiful 
niece  ;  and  here,  you  see,  is  a  balance  on  her  side  of  the  ac 
count,  tfiat  would  shut  the  mouth  of  the  wife  of  the  first  lord 
of  the  treasury.  I  disliked  the  manner  in  which  you  would 
have  the  child  introduced;  for;  look  you,  I  do  not  think  that 
either  Monsieur  Barberie,  or  my  late  sister,  would  altogether 
approve  of  her  entering  into  traffic  so  very  young  ; — but  what 
is  done,  is  done ;  and  the  Norman  himself  could  not  deny 
that  I  have  made  a  fair  set-off,  of  very  excellent  commodities, 
for  his  daughter's  benefit. — When  dost  mean  to  sail,  Master 
Seadrift?" 

"With  the  morning  tide.  I  little  like  the  neighborhood  of 
these  meddling  guardacostas" 

"Bravely  answered  !  Prudence  is  a  cardinal  quality  in  a 
private  trader;  and  it  is  a  quality  that  I  esteem  in  Master 
Skimmer,  next  to  his  punctuality.  Dates  and  obligations  !  I 
wish  half  of  the  firms,  of  three  and  four  names,  without  count 
ing  the  Co.'s,  were  as  much  to  be  depended  on.  Dost  not 
think  it  safer  to  repass  the  inlet  under  favor  of  the  darkness?" 

"  'Tis  impossible.  The  flood  is  entering  it  like  water  rush 
ing  through  a  race-way,  and  we  have  the  wind  at  east.  But, 
fear  not ;  'the  brigantine  carries  no  vulgar  freight,  and  your 
commerce  has  given  us  a  swept  hold.  The  queen  and  the  Bra- 
ganza,  with  Holland  ducats,  might  shpw  their  faces  even  in 
the  Royal  Exchequer  itself  '  We  have  no  want  of  passes,  and 
the  Miller's-Maid  is  just  as  good  3.  name  to  hail  by  as  the 
Water- Witch.  We  begin  to  tire  of  this  constant  running,  and 
have  half  a  mind  to  taste  the  pleasures  of  your  Jersey  sports 
for  a  week.  There  should  be  shooting  on  the  upper  plains  ?  " 

"  Heaven  forbid  !  Heaven  forbid  !  Master  Seadrift.  I  had 
all  the  deer  taken  for  the  skins,  ten  years  ago ;  and  as  to 
birds,  they  deserted  us  to  a  pigeon,  when  the  last  tribe  of  the 
savages  went  west  of  the  Delaware.  Thou  hast  discharged 
thy  brigantine  to  better  effect  than  thou  couldst  ever  discharge 
thy  fowling-pieces.  I  hope  the  hospitality  of  the  Lust  in  Rust 
is  no  problem — but,  blushes  and  curiosity  !  I  could  wish  to 
keep  a  fair  countenance  among  my  neighbors.  Art  sure  the 
impertinent  masts  of  the  brigantine  will  not  be  seen  above  the 
trees,  when  the  day  comes?  This  Captain  Ludlow  is  no  lag 
gard  when  he  thinks  his  duty  actually  concerned." 

"  We  shall  endeavor  to  keep  him  quiet.  The  cover  of  the 
trees  and  the  berth  of  the  boat  make  all  snug,  as  respects  hit 
people.  I  leave  worthy  Tiller  to  settle  balances  between  ss  \ 


THE   WATER-WITCH-  IO$ 

and  so,  I  take  my  leave.  Master  Alderman — a  word  at  part 
ing.  Does  the  Viscount  Cornbury  still  tarry  in  the  prov 
inces?" 

"  Like  a'  fixture.  There  is  not  a  mercantile  house  in  the 
colony  more  firmly  established." 

"There  are  unsettled  affairs  between  us — a  small  premium 
*vould  buy  the  obligations — " 

"  Heaven  keep  thee,  Master  Seadrift,  and  pleasant  voyages 
back  and  forth  !  As  for  the  viscount's  responsibility — the 
queen  may  trust  him  with  another  province,  but  Myndert  Van 
Beverout  would  not  give  him  credit  for  the  tail  of  a  marten  ; 
and  so,  again,  Heaven  preserve  thee  !  " 

The  dealer  in  contraband  appeared  to  tear  himself  from  the 
sight  of  all  the  little  elegances  that  adorned  the  apartment  of 
la  belle  Barberie,  with  reluctance.  His  adieus  to  the  alder 
man  were  rather  cavalier,  for  he  still  maintained  a  cold  and 
abstracted  air ;  but  as  the  other  scarcely  observed  the  forms  of 
decorum,  in  his  evident  desire  to  get  rid  of  his  guest,  the  latter 
was  finally  obliged  to  depart.  He  disappeared  by  the  low  bal 
cony,  where  he  had  entered. 

When  Myndert  Van  Beverout  was  alone,  he  shut  the  win 
dows  of  the  pavilion  of  his  niece,  and  retired  to  his  own  part 
of  the  dwelling.  Here  the  thrifty  burgher  first  busied  himself 
in  making  sundry  calculations,  with  a  zeal  that  proved  how 
much  his  mind  was  engrossed  by  the  occupation.  After  this 
preliminary  step,  he  gave  a  short  but  secret  conference  to  the 
mariner  of  the  India  shawl,  during  which  there  was  much 
clinking  of  gold-pieces.  But  when  the  latter  retired,  the  mas 
ter  of  the  villa  first  looked  to  the  trifling  securities  which  were 
then,  as  now,  observed  in  the  fastenings  of  an  American 
country-house;  when  he  walked  forth  upon  the  lawn,  like  one 
who  felt  the  necessity  of  breathing  the  open  air.  He  cast 
more  than  one  inquiring  glance  at  the  windows  of  the  room 
which  was  occupied  by  Oloff  Van  Staats,  where  all  was  happilj 
silent ;  at  the  equally  immovable  brigantine  in  the  cove ;  anc 
at  the  more  distant  and  still  motionless  hull  of  the  cruiser  o; 
the  crown.  All  around  him  was  in  the  quiet  of  midnight. 
Even  the  boats,  which  he  knew  to  be  plying  between  the  land 
and  the  little  vessel  at  anchor,  were  invisible ;  and  he  ree'n- 
tercd  his  habitation,  with  the  security  one  would  be  apt  tc 
feel,  under  similar  circumstances,  in  a  region  so  little  tenanted* 
and  so  little  watched,  as  that  in  which  he  lived. 


THE    WATER- WITCH, 


CHAPTER  XII. 

*  Come  on,  Nerissa ;  I  have  work  m  hand, 
That  you,  yet,  know  not  of." 

MERCHANT  OF  VENICE, 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  active  movements  which  had  takes 
place  in  and  around  Che  buildings  of  the  Lust  in  Rust,  during 
the  night  which  ended  with  our  last  chapter,  none  but  the  in 
itiated  were  in  the  smallest  degree  aware  of  their  existence, 
Oloff  Van  Staats  was  early  afoot;  and  when  he  appeared  on 
the  lawn,  to  scent  the  morning  air,  there  was  nothing  visible 
to  give  rise  to  a  suspicion  that  aught  extraordinary  had  oc 
curred  during  his  slumbers.  La  Cour  des  Fees  was  still  closed* 
but  the  person  of  the  faithful  Frangois  was  seen,  near  the 
abode  of  his  young  mistress,  busied  in  some  of  those  pretty 
little  offices  that  can  easily  be  imagined  would  be  agreeable  to 
a  maiden  of  her  years  and  station.  Van  Staats"  of  Kinderhook 
had  as  little  of  romance  in  his  composition  as  could  well  be  in 
a  youth  of  five-and-twenty  who  was  commonly  thought  to  be 
enamoured,  and  who  was  not  altogether  ignorant  of  the  con 
ventional  sympathies  of  the  passion.  The  man  was  mortal, 
and  as  the  personal  attractions  of  la  belle  Barberie  were  suffi 
ciently  obvious,  he  had  not  entirely  escaped  the  fate,  which 
seems  nearly  inseparable  from  young  fancy,  when  excited  by 
beauty.  He  drew  nigh  to  the  pavilion,  and,  by  a  guarded 
but  decisive  manoeuvre,  he  managed  to  come  so  close  to  the 
valet  as  to  render  a  verbal  communication  not  only  natural, 
but  nearly  unavoidable.  * 

"  A  fair  morn  and  a  healthful  air,  Monsieur  Francois,*" 
commenced  the  young  patroon,  acknowledging  the  low  salute 
of  the  domestic,  by  gravely  lifting  his  own  beaver,  '«  This  is 
a  comfortable  abode  for  the  warm  months,  and  one  it  might  be 
well  to  visit  oftener." 

'•  When  Monsieur  le  Patteron  shall  be  de  lor'  of  ce  manor, 
aussi,  he  shall  come  when  he  shall  have  la  volonteV'  returned 
Francois,  who  knew  that  a  pleasantrv  of  his  ought  not  to  be 
construed  into  an  engagement  on  tne  part  of  her  he  served, 
while  it  could  not  fail  to  be  agreeable  to  him  who  heard  it. 
"  Monsieur  de  Van  Staats  est  grand  proprietaire  sur  la  riviere^ 
and  one  day,  peut-etre,  he  shall  be  proprietaire  sur  la  met  I  *' 


THE    WATER  WITCH  ?3? 

"I  have  thought  of  imitating  the  example  of  the  alderma^ 
honest  Francis,  and  of  building  a  villa  on  the  coast ;  but  there 
will  be  time  for  that  when  I  shall-  find  myself  more  established 
in  life  !  Your  young  mistress  is  not  yet  moving,  Francis?  " 

"Ma  foi,  non — Mam'selle  Alide  sleep! — 'tis  good  symp- 
tome,  Monsieur  Patteron,  pour  les  jeunes  personnes,  to  tres- 
bierj  sleep.  Monsieur,  et  toute  la  famille  de  Barberie  sleep  a 
merveille  I  Oui,  c'est  toujours  une  famille  remarquable  pour 
Je  sommeil !  "  x 

"Yet  one  would  wish  to  breathe  this  fresh  and  invigorating 
*ir,  which  comes  from  off  the  sea,  like  a  balm  in  the  early 
.iours  of  the  day." 

*'Sans  doute,  monsieur.  C'est  un- miracle,  how  mam'selle 
*ove  de  air  !  Personne  do  not  love  air  more,  as  Mam'selle 
Alide.  Bah  ! — it  was  grand  plaisir  to  see  how  Monsieur  de 
Barberie  love  de  air  !  " 

"Perhaps,  Mr.  Francis,  your  young  lady  is  ignorant  of  the 
hour  It  might  be  well  to  knock  at  the  door,  or  perhaps  at 
the  window.  I  confess  I  should  much  admire  to  see  her  bright 
face  smiling  from  that  window  on  this  soft  morning  scene," 

It,  is  riot  probable  that  the  imagination  of  the  Patroon  of 
Kinderhook  ever  before  took  so  high  a  flight ;  and  there  was 
reason  to  suspect,  by  the  wavering  and  alarmed  glance  that  he 
cast  around  him  after  so  unequivocal  an  expression  of  weak 
ness,  that  he  already  repented  his  temerity.  Francois,  who 
would  not  willingly  disoblige  a  man  that  was  known  to  possess 
a  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  with  manorial  rights,  be 
sides  personals  of  no  mean  amount,  felt  embarrassed  by  the 
request ;  but  was  enabled  to  recollect  in  time  that  the  heiress 
was  known  to  possess  a  decision  of  character  that  might  choose 
to  control  her  own  pleasures. 

"Well,  I  snail  be  too  happy  to  knock;  mais,  monsieur, 
sais  dat  sleep  esx  si  agreable  pour  les  jeunes  personnes  !  On 
n'a  jamais  knock,  dans  la  famille  de  Monsieur  de  Barberie,  and 
je  suis  sur  que  Mam'selle  Alide  do  not  love  to  hear  de  knock 
— pourtant,  si  Monsieur  le  Patteron  le  veut,  I  shall  consult  ses 
— voila  !  Monsieur  Bevre^  qui  vient  sans  knock  a  la  fendtre, 
J'ai  1'honneur  de  vous  laisser  avec  Monsieur  Al'erman.M 

And  so  the  complaisant  but  still  considerate  valet  bowed 
himself  out  of  a  dilemma,  that  he  found,  as  he  muttered  to 
himself,  while  retiring,  "Tant  soit  peu  ennuyant." 

The  air  and  manner  of  the  alderman,  as  he  approached  his 
guest,  were  like  the  character  of  the  man,  hale,  hearty,  and  a 
little  occupied  with  his  own  enjoyments  and  feelings,  He 


108  THE    WATER-WITCH 


thrice,  ere  he  was  near  enough  to  speak  ;  and  each  oi 
the  strong  expirations  seemed  to  invite  the  admiration  of  the 
patroon,  for  the  strength  of  his  lungs,  and  for  the  purity  of 
the  atmosphere  around  a  villa  which  acknowledged  him  for  its 
owner, 

"  Zephyrs  and  spas  !  but  this  is  the  abode  of  health,  patroon  \  '" 
cried  the  burgher,  as  soon  as  these  demonstrations  of  his  own 
bodily  condition  had  been  sufficiently  repeated.  "  One  some 
times  feels  jn  this  air  equal  to  holding  a  discourse  across  the 
Atlantic  with  his  friends  at  Scheveling  or  the  Helder,  A 
broad  and  deep  chest  air  like  this  from  the  sea,  with  a  clear 
conscience  and  a  lucky  hit  in  the  way  of  trade,  cause  the 
lungs  of  a  man  to  play  as  easily  and  as  imperceptibly  as  the 
wings  of  a  humming-bird.  Let  me  see  ;  there  are  few  four 
score  men  in  thy  stock.  The  last  patroon  closed  the  books  at 
sixty-six  ;  and  his  father  went  but  a  little  beyond  seventy.  I 
wonder  there  has  never  been  an  intermarriage  among  you  with 
the  Van  Courtlands  ;  that  blood  is  as  good  as  an  insurance  to 
fourscore  and  ten  of  itself." 

"  I  find  the  air  of  your  villa,  Mr.  Van  Beverout,  a  cordial 
that  one  could  wish  to  take  often,'*  returned  the  other,  who 
had  far  less  of  the  brusque  manner  of  the  trader  than  his  com 
panion.  "It  is  a  pity  that  all  who  have  the  choice  do  not 
profit  by  their  opportunities  to  breathe  it." 

"  You  allude  to  the  lazy  mariners  in  yon  vessel  !  Her 
majesty's  servants  are  seldom  in  a  hurry  ;  and  as  for  this 
brigantine  in  the  cove,  the  fellow  seems  to  have  got  in  by 
magic  !  I  warrant  me,  now,  the  rogue  is  there  for  no  good, 
and  that  the  queen's  exchequer  will  be  none  the  richer  for  his 
visit.  —  Harkee,  you  Brom,"  calling  to  an  aged  black  who  was 
working  at  no  great  distance  from  the  dwelling,  and  who  was 
deep  in  his  master's  confidence,  "hast  seen  any  boats  plying 
between  yonder  roguish-looking  brigantine  and  the  land  ?  " 

The  negro  shook  his  head  like  the  earthen  image  of  a  man 
darin,  and  laughed  loud  and  heartily. 

"  I  b'rieve  he  do  all  he  mischief  among  a  Yankee,  an'  he 
only  come  here  to  take  he  breat',"  said  the  wily  slave.  "Well, 
I  wish  wid  all  a  heart  dere  would  come  free-trader  some  time 
along  our  shore.  Dat  gib  a  chance  to  poor  black  man  to  make 
an  honest  penny  !  " 

"  You  see,  patroon,  human  nature  itself  arises  against 
monopoly  !  That  was  the  voice  of  instinct  speaking  with  the 
tongue  of  Brom  ;  and  it  is  no  easy  task  for  a  merchant  to  keep 
his  dependants  obedient  to  laws  which  in  themselves  create  so 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  lOf 

constant  u  temptation  to  break  them.  Well,  well ;  we  will 
always  hope  f  >r  the  best,  and  endeavor  to  act  like  dutiful  sub 
jects.  The  boat  is  not  amiss  as  to  form  and  rig,  let  her  come 
trom  where  she  will.  Dost  think  the  wind  will  be  off  the  land 
Jhis  morning?  " 

*•'  There  are  signs  of  a  change  in  the  clouds,  One  could 
wish  that  all  should  be  out  in  the  air  to  taste  this  pleasant  sea- 
hreeze  while  it  lasts." 

•*  Come,  come,"  cried  the  alderman,  who  had  for  a  moment 
studied  the  state  of  the  heavens  with  a  solicitude  that  he  feared 
might  attract  his  companion's  attention,  "  we  will  taste  our 
breakfast.  This  is  the  spot  to  show  the  use  of  teeth  !  The 
negroes  have  not  been  idle  during  the  night,  Mr.  Van  Staats — 
he-e-em — I  say,  sir,  they  have  not  been  idle :  and  we  shall 
have  a  choice  among  the  dainties  of  the  river  and  bay.  That 
cloud  above  the  mouth  of  the  Raritan  appears  to  rise,  and  we 
may  yet  have  a  breeze  at  west !  " 

"  Yonder  comes  a  boat  in  the  direction  of  the  city," 
observed  the  other,  reluctantly  obeying  a  motion  of  the  alder 
man  to  retire  to  the  apartment  where  they  were  accustomed  to 
break  their  fasts.  "  To  me  it  seems  to  approach  with  more 
than  ordinary  speed." 

"  There  are  stout  arms  at  its  oars !  Can  it  be  a  messenger 
for  the  cruiser?  no — it  rather  steers  more  for  our  own  landing. 
Tnese  Jerseymen  are  often  overtaken  by  the  night,  between 
York  and  their  own  doors.  And  now,  patroon,  we  will  to 
our  knives  and  forks,  like  men  who  have  taken  the  best  sto 
machics." 

"And  are  we  to  refresh  ourselves  alone?"  demanded  the 
young  man,  who  ever  and  anon  cast  a  sidelong  and  wistful 
glance  at  the  closed  and  immovable  shutters  of  la  Cour  des 
Fees. 

"Thy  mother  hath  spoilt  thee,  young  Oloff;  unless  the 
coffee  comes  from  a  pretty  female  hand,  it  loses  its  savor.  I 
take  thy  meaning,  and  think  none  the  worse  of  thee;  for  the 
weakness  is  natural  at  thy  years.  Celibacy  and  independence  ! 
A  man  must  get  beyond  forty,  before  he  is  ever  sure  of  being 
his  own  master. — Come  hither,  Master  Francis.  It  is  time 
my  niece  had  shaken  off  this  laziness,  and  shown  her  bright 
face  to  the  sun.  We  wait  for  her  fair  services  at  the  table. — I 
see  nothing  of  that  lazy  hussy,  Dinah,  any  more  than  of  her 
mistress." 

"  Assureinent  non,  monsieur,"  returned  the  valet;  "  Mamy« 
selle  Dinah  do  not  love  trop  d 'activity.  Mais,  Monsiem 


no  THE    WATE&WITC&, 

A.1  erman,  eiles  sont  jeunes,  toutes  les  deux !  Le  sommeil  eH 
bien  salutaire  pour  la  jeunesse." 

"  The  girl  is  no  longer  in  her  cradle,  Francis,  and  it  is  time 
to  rattle  at  the  windows.  As  for  the  black  minx,  who  should 
have  been  up  and  at  her  duty  this  hour,  there  will  be  a 
balance  to  settle  between  us.  Come,  patroon— the  appetite 
will  not  await  the  laziness  of  a  wilful  girl ;  we  will  to  the  table. 
—-Dost  think  the  wind  will  stand  at  west  this  morning?  " 

Thus  saying,  the  alderman  led  the  way  into  the  little  parlor, 
where  a  neat  and  comfortable  service  invited  them  to  break 
^heir  morning  fast.  He  was  followed  by  Oloff  Van  Staats  with 
a  lingering  step,  for  the  young  man  really  longed  to  see  the 
windows  of  the  pavilion  open,  and  the  fair  face  of  Alida 
smiling  amid  the  other  beautiful  objects  of  the  scene.  Francois 
proceeded  to  take  such  measures  to  arouse  his  mistress  as  he 
believed  to  comport  with  his  duty  to  her  uncle,  and  his  own 
ideas  of  bienseance.  After  some  little  delay,  the  alderman  and 
his  guest  took  their  seats  at  the  table ;  the  former  loudly  pro 
testing  against  the  necessity  of  waiting  for  the  idlt,  and  throw 
ing  in  an  occasional  moral  concerning  the  particular  merit  of 
punctuality  in  domestic  economy,  as  well  as  in  the  affairs  of 
commerce. 

"  The  ancients  divided  time,"  said  the  somewhat  pertina 
cious  commentator,  "  into  years,  months,  weeks,  days,  hours, 
minutes,  and  moments,  as  they  divided  numbers  into  units, 
tens,  hundreds,  thousands,  and  tens  of  thousands ;  and  both 
with  an  object.  If  we  commence  at  the  bottom,  and  employ 
well  the  moments,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  we  turn  the  minutes  into 
tens,  the  hours  into  hundreds,  and  the  weeks  and  months  into 
thousands — ay  !  and  when  there  is  a  happy  state  of  trade,  into 
ten  of  thousands !  Missing  an  hour,  therefore,  is  somewhat 
like  dropping  an  important  figure  in  a  complex  calculation, 
and  the  whole  labor  may  be  useless,  for  want  of  punctuality  in 
one,  as  for  want  of  accuracy  in  the  other.  Your  father,  the 
late  patroon,  was  what  may  be  called  a  minute-man.  He  was  as 
certain  to  be  seen  in  his  pew,  at  church,  at  the  stroke  of  the 
Vlock,  as  to  pay  a  bill  when  its  items  had  been  properly 
examined.  Ah  !  it  was  a  blessing  to  hold  one  of  his  notes, 
though  they  were  far  scarcer  than  broad  pieces  or  bullion.  I 
have  heard  it  said,  patroon,  that  the  manor  is  backed  by  plenty 
of  Johannes  and  Dutch  ducats  !  " 

"The  descendant  has  no  reason  to  reproach  his  ancestors 
with  want  of  foresight." 

'•*  Prudently  answered — not  a  word  too  much  nor  too  little— 


THE    WATER-WITCH-  III 

nciple  on  which  all  honest  men  settle  their  accounts.  By 
proper  management,  such  a  foundation  might  be  made  to 
uphold  an  estate  that  should  count  thousands  with  the  best  of 
Holland  or  England.  Growth  and  majority  !  patroon ;  but  \ve 
of  the  colonies  must  come  to  man's  estate  in  time,  like  our 
cousins  on  the  dikes  of  the  Low  Countries,  or  our  rulers  among 
the  smithies  of  England. — Erasmus,  look  at  that  cloud  over  the 
Karitan,  and  tell  me  if  it  rises." 

The  negro  reported  that  the  vapor  was  stationary ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  by  way  of  episode,  he  told  his  master  that  the 
boat  which  had  been  seen  approaching  the  land  had  reached 
the  wharf,  and  that  some  of  its  crew  were  ascending  the  hill 
toward  the  Lust  in  Rust. 

"  Let  them  come  of  all  hospitality,"  returned  the  alderman, 
heartily;  " I  warrant  me,  they  are  honest  farmers  from  the 
interior,  a-hungered  with  the  toil  of  the  night.  Go  tell  the 
cook  to  feed  them  with  the  best,  and  bid  them  welcome.  And 
harkee,  boy — if  there  be  among  them  any  comfortable  yoeman, 
bid  the  man  enter  and  sit  at  our  table.  This  is  not  a  country, 
patroon,  to  be  nice  about  the  quality  of  the  cloth  a. man  has  on 
his  back,  or  whether  he  wears  a  wig  or  only  his  own  hair. — 
What  is  the  fellow  gaping  at  ?  " 

Erasmus  rubbed  his  eyes,  and  then  showing  his  teeth  to  the 
full  extent  of  a  double  row,  that  glittered  like  pearls,  he  gave 
his  master  to  understand  that  the  negro,  introduced  to  the 
reader  under  the  name  of  Euclid,  and  who  was  certainly  his 
own  brother  of  the  half-blood,  or  by  the  mother's  side,  was 
entering  the  villa.  The  intelligence  caused  a  sudden  cessation 
of  the  masticating  process  in  the  alderman,  who  had  not,  how 
ever,  time  to  express  his  wonder  ere  two  doors  simultaneously 
opened,  and  Francois  presented  himself  at  the  one,  while  the 
shining  and  doubting  face  of  the  slave  from  town  darkened  the 
other.  The  eyes  of  Myndert  rolled  first  to  this  side,  then  to 
that,  a  certain  misgiving  of  the  heart  preventing  him  from 
speaking  to  either;  for  he  saw,  in  the  disturbed  features  of 
each,  omens  that  bade  him  prepare  himself  for  unwelcome 
tidings.  The  reader  will  perceive, 'by  the  description  we  shall 
give,  that  there  was  abundant  reason  for  the  sagacious  burgher's 
alarm. 

The  visage  of  the  valet,  at  all  times  meagre  and  long, 
seemed  extended  to  far  more  than  its  usual  dimensions,  the 
under  jaw  appearing  fallen  and  trebly  attenuated.  The  light- 
blue,  protruding  eyes  were  open  to  the  utmost,  and  they  ex 
pressed  a  certain  confused  wildness,  thit  was  none  the  less 


112  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

striking  for  the  painful  expression  of  the  mental  suffering  with 
which  it  was  mingled.  Both  hands  were  raised,  with  the 
palms  outward  ;  while  the  shoulders  of  the  poor  fellow  were 
elevated  so  high  as  entirely  to  destroy  the  little  symmetry  that 
nature  had  bestowed  on  that  particular  part  of  his  frame. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  look  of  the  negro  was  guilty,  dogged, 
and  cunning.  His  eye  leered  askance,  seeming  to  wish  to 
play  around  the  person  of  his  master,  as  it  will  be  seen  his  lan 
guage  endeavored  to  play  around  his  understanding.  The 
hands  crushed  the  crown  of  a  woolen  hat  between  their  fingers, 
and  one  of  his  feet  described  semi-circles  with  its  toe,  by  per 
forming  nervous  evolutions  on  its  heel. 

"Well!"  ejaculated  Myndert,  regarding  each  in  turn, 
"what  news  from  the  Canadas?  —  Is  the  queen  dead,  or  has 
she  restored  the  colony  to  the  United  Provinces  ?  " 

"  Mam'selle  Alide!  "   exclaimed,  or  rather  groaned,  Fran* 


"  The  poor  dumb  beast  !  —  "  muttered  Euclid. 

The  knives  and  the  forks  fell  from  the  hands  of  Myndert 
and  his  guest,  as  it  were  by  a  simultaneous  paralysis.  The 
latter  involuntarily  arose  ;  while  the  former  planted  his  solid 
person  still  more  firmly  in  its  seat,  like  one  who  was  preparing 
to  meet  some  severe  and  expected  shock  with  all  the  physical 
resolution  he  could  muster. 

"What  of  my  niece?  —  What  of  my  geldings?  —  You  have 
called  upon  Dinah?  " 

"  Sans  doute,  monsieur  !  " 

"  —  And  you  kept  the  keys  of  the  stable?" 

"  I  nebber  let  him  go  at  all  !  " 

"  —  And  you  bade  her  call  her  mistress?  " 

"  She  no  make  answair,  du  tout." 

"  —  The  animals  were  fed  and  watered,  as  I  ordered?  " 

"  'Em  neber  take  he  food  better  !  " 

«  «  —  You  entered  the  chamber  of  my  niece,  yourself,  to 
awake  her?" 

"  Monsieur  a  raison." 

"  What  the  devil  has  befallen  the  innocent?'1 

"  He  lose  he  stomach  quite,  and  I  t'ink  it  great  time,  'fore 
it  ebber  come  back." 

"  Mister  Francis,  I  desire  to  know  the  answer  of  Monsieul 
Barberie's  daughter." 

"  Mam'selle  no  r6pond,  monsieur  ;  pas  un  syllable  !  " 

"  Drenchers  and  fleams  !  The  beauty  should  have  btea 
drenched  and  blooded  —  " 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  113 

•*  Hera'm  too  late  for  dat>  masser,  on  honor/ 

•<— The  obstinate  hussy!  This  comes  of  her  Huguenot 
breed,  a  race  that  would  quit  house  and  lands  rather  than 
change  its  place  of  worship  \  " 

"  La  famille  de  Barberie  est  honorable,  monsieur,  mais  le 
Grand  Monarque  fut  un  peu  trop  exigeant.  Vraiment,  la  drag- 
onade  etait  mal  avisee,  pour  faire  des  Chretiens  !  M 

(i  Apoplexies  and  hurry  !  you  should  have  sent  for  the  far 
rier  to  administer  to  the  sufferer,  thou  black  hound  !  " 

"  'Em  go  for  a  butcher,  masser,  to  save  he  skin,  for  he  war 
too  soon  dead." 

The  word  dead  produced  a  sudden  pause.  The  preceding 
dialogue  had  been  so  rapid,  and  question  and  answer,  no  less 
than  the  ideas  of  the  principal  speaker,  had  got  so  confused., 
that,  for  a  moment,  he  was  actually  at  a  loss  to  understand 
whether  the  last  great  debt  of  Nature  had  been  paid  by  la 
belle  Barberie  or  one  of  the  Flemish  geldings.  Until  now, 
consternation,  as  well  as  the  confusion  of  the  interview,  had 
constrained  the  patroon  to  be  silent,  but  he  profited  by  the 
breathing-time  to  interpose. 

"  It  is  evident,  Mr.  Van  Beverout,"  he  said,  speaking  with 
a  tremor  in  the  voice  which  betrayed  his  own  uneasiness, 
"  that  some  untoward  event  has  occurred.  Perhaps  the  negro 
and  I  had  better  retire,  that  you  may  question  Francis  con 
cerning  that  which  hath  befallen  Mademoiselle  Barberie,  more 
at  your  leisure." 

The  alderman  was  recalled  from  a  profound  stupor,  by  this 
gentlemanlike  °nd  considerate  proposal.  He  bowed  his  ac 
knowledgments,  and  permitted  Mr.  Van  Staats  to  quit  the 
room ;  when  Euclid  would  have  followed,  he  signed  to  the 
»egro  to  remain. 

*'  I  may  have  occasion  to  question  thee  further,"  he  said,  in 
a  voice  that  had  lost  most  of  that  compass  and  depth  for  which 
it  was  so  remarkable.  "  Stand  there,  sirrah,  and  be  in  readi 
ness  to  answer. — And  now,  Mr.  Francis,  I  desire  to  know 
why  my  niece  declines  taking  breakfast  with  myself  and  my 
guest  ? ' ' 

"  Mon  Dieu,  monsieur,  it  is  not  possible  y  repondre.  Les 
sentiments  des  demoiselles  are  nevair  decides  !  " 

"  Go,  then,  and  say  to  her  that  my  sentiments  are  decided 
to  curtail  certain  bequests  and  devises,  which  have  consulted 
her  interest  more  than  strict  justice  to  others  of  my  blood*  ayf 
md  even  of  my  name,  might  dictate." 


114  THE 


Monsieur  y  reflechira.     Manrselle  Alide  be  so  young  per 


sonne 


i »» 


<(  Old  or  young,  my  mind  is  made  up ;  and  so  to  your  Com 
des  Fees,  and  tell  the  lazy  minx  as  much. — Thou  hast  rid 
den  that  innocent,  thou  scowling  imp  of  darkness  !  " 

"Mais,  pensez-y,  je  vous  en  prie,  monsieur.  Mam'sel!e 
shall  nevair  se  sauver  encore  ;  jamais,  je  vous  en  repond/'  x 

"What  is  the  fellow  jabbering  about?  "  exclaimed  the  al 
derman,  whose  mouth  fell  nearly  to  the  degree  that  rendered 
the  countenance  of  the  valet  so  singularly  expressive  of  distress, 
"Where  is  my  niece,  sir? — and  what  means  this  allusion  to 
her  absence?  " 

"  La  fille  de  Monsieur  de  Barberie  n'y  est  pas  !  "  cried 
Francois,  whose  heart  was  too  full  to  utter  more.  The  aged 
and  affectionate  domestic  laid  his  hand  on  his  breast,  with  an 
air  of  acute  suffering  ;  then,  remembering  the  presence  of  his 
superior,  he  turned,  bowed  with  a  manner  of  profound  con 
dolence,  struggled  manfully  with  his  own  emotion,  and  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  out  of  the  room  with  dignity  and  steadi 
ness. 

It  is  due  to  the  character  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout  to  say 
that  the  blow  occasioned  by  the  sudden  death  of  the  Flemish 
gelding  lost  some  of  its  force,  in  consequence  of  so  unlooked- 
for  a  report  concerting  the  inexplicable  absence  of  his  niece. 
Euclid  was  questioned,  menaced,  and  even  anathematized, 
more  than  once,  during  the  next  ten  minutes  ;  but  the  cun 
ning  slave  succeeded  in  confounding  himself  so  effectually  with 
the  rest  of  his  connections  of  the  half  blood,  during  the  search 
which  instantly  followed  the  report  of  Francois,  that  his  crime 
was  partially  forgotten. 

On  entering  la  Cour  des  Fees,  it  was,  in  truth,  found  to 
want  her  whose  beauty  and  grace  had  lent  its  chief  attraction. 
The  outer  rooms,  which  were  small,  and  ordinarily  occupied 
during  the  day  by  Francois  and  the  negress  called  Dinah,  and 
in  the  night  by  the  latter  only,  were  in  a  state  in  which  they 
might  be  expected  to  be  seen.  The  apartment  of  the  attend 
ant  furnished  evidence  that  its  occupant  had  quitted  it  in 
haste,  though  there  was  every  appearance  of  her  having  retired 
to  rest  at  the  usual  hour.  Clothes  were  scattered  carelessly 
about ;  and  though  most  of  her  personal  effects  had  disappeared, 
enough  remained  to  prove  that  her  departure  had  been  hurried 
and  unforeseen. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  little  saloon,  and  the  dressing-room 
and  bedroom  of  la  belle  Barberie,  were  in  a  state  of  the  most 


THE    WATER-WITCH, 

studied  arrangement.  Not  an  article  of  furniture  was  displaced' 
a  door  ajar,  or  a  window  open.  The  pavilion  had  evidently 
been  quitted  by  its  ordinary  passage,  and  the  door  had  beer* 
closed  in  the  customary  manner,  without  using  the  fastenings. 
The  bed  had  evidently  not  been  entered,  for  the  linen  was 
smooth  and  untouched.  In  short,  so  complete  was  the  order 
of  the  place  that,  yielding  to  a  powerful  natural  feeling,,  the 
alderman  called  aloud  on  his  truant  niece,  by  name,  as  if  he 
expected  to  see  her  appear  from  some  place,  in  which  she  had 
secreted  her  person,  in  idle  sport.  But  this  touching  expedi- 
ent  was  in  vain.  The  voice  sounded  hollow  through  the  de 
serted  rooms ;  and,  though  all  waited  Jong  to  listen,  there 
came  no  playful  or  laughing  answer  back,, 

"  Alida  !  "  cried  the  burgher,  for  the  fourth  and  last  time, 
"  come  forth,  child  ;  I  forgive  thee  thy  idle  sport,  and  all  I 
have  said  of  disinheritance  was  but  a  jest.  Come  forth,  my 
sister's  daughter,  and  kiss  thy  old  uncle  !  " 

The  patroon  turned  aside,  as  he  heard  a  man  so  known  for 
his  worldliness  yielding  to  the  power  of  Nature ;  and  the  lord 
of  a  hundred  thousand  acres  forgot  his  own  disappointment^ 
in  the  force  of  sympathy. 

11  Let  us  retire,"  he  said,  gently  urging  the  burgher  to  quit 
the  place.  "  A  little  reflection  will  enable  us  to  decide  what 
should  be  done." 

The  alderman  complied.  Before  quitting  the  place,  how 
ever,  its  closets  and  drawers  were  examined  •  and  the  search 
left  no  further  doubts  of  the  step  which  the  young  heiress  had 
taken.  Her  clothes,  books,  utensils  for  drawing,  and  even  the 
lighter  instruments  of  music,  had  disappeared. 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

•*  Ay,  that  way  goes  the  game, 
Now  I  perceive  that  she  hath  made  compare 
Between  our  statures.'' 

MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S  DREAJA 

THE  tide  of  existence  floats  downward,  and  with  it  go?  in 
their  greatest  strength,  all  those  affections  that  unite  families 
and  kindred.  We  learn  to  know  our  parents  in  the  fulness  of 
their  reason,  and  commonly  in  the  perfection  of  their  bodily 
strength.  Reverftnre  and  respect  both  mingle  with  our  love  s 


tld  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

but  the  affection  with  which  we  watch  the  helplessness  of  infancy, 
the  interest  with  which  we  see  the  ingenious  and  young  profiting 
by  our  care,  the  pride  of  improvement,  and  the  magic  of 
hope,  create  an  intensity  of  sympathy  in  their  favor,  that 
almost  equals  the  identity  of  self-love.  There  is  a  mysterious 
and  double  existence  in  the  tie  that  binds  the  parent  to  the 
child.  With  a  volition  and  passions  of  its  own,  the  latter  has 
power  to  plant  a  sting  in  the  bosom  of  the  former,  that  shall 
wound  as  acutely  as  the  errors  which  arise  from  mistakes,  almost 
from  crimes,  of  its  own.  But,  when  the  misconduct  of  the 
descendant  can  be  traced  to  neglect,  or  to  a  vicious  instruction, 
then,  indeed,  even  the  pang  of  a  wounded  conscience  may  be 
added  to  the  sufferings  of  those  who  have  gone  before.  Such, 
in  some  measure,  was  the  nature  of  the  pain  that  Alderman 
Van  Beverout  was  condemned  to  feel,  when  at  leisure  to  re 
flect  on  the  ill-judged  measure  that  had  been  taken  by  la  belle 
Barberie. 

"  She  was  a  pleasant  and  coaxing  minx,  patroon,"  said  the 
burgher,  pacing  the  room  they  occupied  with  a  quick  and 
heavy  step,  and  speaking  unconsciously  of  his  niece,  as  of  one 
already  beyond  the  interests  of  life;  "and  as  wilful  and 
headstrong  as  an  unbroken  colt. — Thou  hard-riding  imp  !  I 
shall  never  find  a  match  for  the  poor  disconsolate  survivor. — 
But  the  girl  had  a  thousand  agreeable  and  delightful  ways 
with  her,  that  made  her  the  delight  of  my  old  days.  She  has 
not  done  wisely,  to  desert  the  friend  and  guardian  of  her 
youth,  ay,  even  of  her  childhood,  in  order  to  seek  protection 
from  strangers.  This  is  an  unhappy  world,  Mr.  Van  Staats. 
All  our  calculations  come  to  naught ;  and  it  is  in  the  power  of 
Fortune  to  reverse  the  most  reasonable  and  wisest  of  our  ex 
pectations.  A  gale  of  wind  drives  the  richly-freighted  ship  to 
the  bottom ;  a  sudden  fall  in  the  market  robs  us  of  our  gold, 
as  the  November  wind  strips  the  oak  of  its  leaves  ;  and  bank 
ruptcies  and  decayed  credit  often  afflict  the  days  of  the  oldest 
houses,  as  disease  saps  the  strength  of  the  body. — Alida ! 
Alida  !  thou  hast  wounded  one  that  never  harmed  thee,  and, 
rendered  my  age  miserable !  " 

"It  is  vain  to  contend  with  the  inclinations,"  returned 
the  proprietor  of  the  manor,  sighing  in  a  manner  that  did  no 
discredit  to  the  sincerity  of  his  remark.  "  I  could  have  been 
happy  to  have  placed  your  niece  in  the  situation  that  my  re 
spected  mother  filled  with  so  much  dignity  and  credit,  but  it  is 
now  too  late — " 

"We  don't  know  that;  we  don't  know  that,"  interrupted 


THE    WATER  WITCH.  Iff 

the  alderman,  who  still  clung  to  the  hope  of  effecting  the  first 
great  wish  of  his  heart,  with  the  pertinacity  with  which  he 
would  have  clung  to  the  terms  of  any  other  fortunate  bargain, 
'  (  We  should  never  despair,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  as  long  as  the 
transaclion  is  left  open." 

"The  manner  in  which  Mademoiselle  Barbaric  has  ex 
pressed  her  preference  is  so  very  decided,  that  I  see  no  hope 
of  completing  the  arrangement." 

"  Mere  coquetry,  sir,  mere  coquetry  !  The  girl  has  disap 
peared  in  order  to  enchance  the  value  of  her  future  sub 
mission.  One  should  never  regard  a  treaty  at  an  end,  so  long 
as  reasonable  hopes  remain  that  it  may  be  productive  to  the 
parties." 

1 '  I  fear,  sir,  there  is  more  of  the  coquette  in  this  step  of  the 
young  lady  than  a  gentleman  can  overlook,"  returned  the  pa- 
troon,  d  little  dryly,  and  with  far  more  point  than  he  was  ac 
customed  to  use.  "If  the  commander  of  her  majesty's? 
cruiser  be  not  a  happy  man,  he  will  not  have  occasion  to  re 
proach  his  mistress  with  disdain  !  " 

**  I  am  not  certain,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  that  in  the  actual  situ 
ation  of  our  stipulations,  I  ought  to  overlook  an  innuendo  that 
seems  to  reflect  on  the  discretion  of  my  ward.  Captain  Lud- 
low — well,  sirrah  !  what  is  the  meaning  of  this  imperti 
nence?  " 

"He'm  waiting  toseemetsser,"  returned  the  gaping  Erasmus,, 
who  stood  with  the  door  in  his  hand,  admiring  the  secret  in 
telligence  of  his  master,  who  had  so  readily  anticipated  his. 
errand. 

"  Who  is  waiting  ? — What  does  the  simpleton  mean  ?  " 

"  I  mean  a  gentle'um  masser  say." 

"  The  fortunate  man  is  here  to  remind  us  of  his  success," 
haughtily  observed  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook.  "  There  can. 
be  no  necessity  for  my  presence  at  an  interview  between  Alder 
man  Van  Beverout  and  his  nephew." 

The  justly-mortified  patroon  bowed  ceremoniously  to  the 
equally  disappointed  burgher,  and  left  the  room  the  moment 
he  had  done  speaking.  The  negro  took  his  retreat  as  a  favor 
able  symptom  for  one  who  was  generally  known  to  be  his  rival ; 
and  he  hastened  to  inform  the  young  captain  that  the  coast 
was  clear. 

The  meeting  that  succeeded  was  sufficiently  constrained  and 
awkward.  Alderman  Van  Beverout  assumed  a  manner  of  of 
fended  authority  and  wounded  affection  ;  while  the  officer  of 
the  queen  wore  an  air  of  compelled  submission  to  a  duty  thai 


Il8  THE    WATER-WITCH- 

he  found  to  be  disagreeable.  The  introduction  of  the  dis 
course  was  consequently  ceremonious,  and  punctiliously  obser 
vant  of  courtesy. 

lf  It  has  become  my  office,"  continued  Ludlow,  after  the 
preliminaries  had  been  observed,  "  to  express  the  surprise  I  feel 
that  a  vessel  of  the  exceedingly  equivocal  appearance  of  the 
brigantine,  that  is  anchored  in  the  cove,  should  be  found  in  a 
situation  to  create  unpleasant  suspicions  concerning  the  com 
mercial  propriety  of  a  merchant  so  well  known  as  Mr.  Alder 
man  Van  Beverout." 

"  The  credit  of  Myndert  Van  Beverout  is  too  well  established, 
Captain  Cornelius  Ludlow,  to  be  affected  by  the  accidental 
position  of  ships  and  bays.  I  see  two  vessels  anchored  near 
the  Lust  in  Rust,  and  if  called  upon  to  give  my  testimony  be 
fore  the  queen  in  council,  I  should  declare  that  the  one  which 
wears  her  royal  pennant  had  done  more  wrong  to  her  subjects 
than  the  stranger.  But  what  harm  is  known  of  the  latter?  " 

"  I  shall  not  conceal  any  of  the  facts  j  for  I  feel  that  this  is 
a  case  in  which  a  gentleman  of  your  station  has  the  fullest 
right  to  the  benefit  of  explanations—" 

"Hem — "  interrupted  the  burgher,  who  disliked  the  man- 
net  in  which  his  companion  had  opened  the  interview,  and 
who  thought  he  saw  the  commencement  of  a  forced  compro 
mise  in  the  turn  it  was  taking.  *'  Hem— I  commend  your 
moderation,  Captain  Ludlow.  Sir,  we  are  flattered  in  having 
a  native  of  the  province  in  so  honorable  a  command  on  the 
coast.  Be  seated,  I  pray  you,  young  gentleman,  that  we  may 
converse  more  at  leisure.  The  Ludlows  are  an  ancient  and 
well-established  family  in  the  colonies ;  and,  though  they  were 
no  friends  of  King  Charles,  why — we  have  others  here  in  the 
same  predicament.  There  are  few  crowns  in  Europe  that 
might  not  trace  some  of  their  discontented  subjects  to  these 
colonies ;  and  the  greater  the  reason,  say  I,  'why  we  should 
not  be  too  hasty  in  giving  faith  to  the  wisdom  of  this  European 
legislation.  I  do  not  pretend,  sir,  to  admire  all  the  commercial 
regulations  which  flow  from  the  wisdom  of  her  majesty's  coun 
sellors.  Candor  forbids  that  I  should  deny  this  truth  ;  tmt — 
of  the  brigantine  in  the  cove  ?  " 

"It  is  not  necessary  to  tell  one  so  familiar  with  the  affairs 
of  commerce,  of  the  character  of  a  vessel  called  the  Water- 
Witch,  nor  that  of  its  lawless  commander,  the  notorious  Skim 
mer  of  the  Seas." 

"  Captain  Ludlow  is  not  about  to  accuse  Alderman  Van 
Scverout  of  a.  connection  with  such  a  man  !  "  exclaimed  the 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  119 

burgher,  rising  as  it  were  involuntarily,  and  actually  recoiling 
a  foot  or  two  apparently,  under  the  force  of  indignation  and 
surprise," 

"  Sir,  I  am  not  commissioned  to  accuse  any  of  the  queen's 
subjects.  My  duty  is  to  guard  her  interests  on  the  water,  to 
oppose  her  open  enemies,  and  to  uphold  her  royal  perogatives." 

«An  honorable  employment,  and  one  I  doubt  not  that  is 
honorably  discharged.  Resume  your  seat,  sir;  for  I  foresee 
that  the  conference  is  likely  to  end  as  it  should,  between  a  son 
of  the  late  very  respectable  king's  counsellor  and  his  father's 
friend.  You  have  reason  then  for  thinking  that  this  brigan- 
tine  which  has  so  suddenly  appeared  in  the  cove,  has  some  re 
mote  connection  with  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  ?  " 

"I  believe  the  vessel  to  be  the  famous  Water- Witch  itself, 
and  her  commander  to  be,  of  course,  the  well-known  adven 
turer.  " 

tf  vVell,  sir — well,  sir  this  may  be  so.  It  is  impossible  for 
me  to  deny  it;  but  what  should  such  a  reprobate  be  doing 
here,  under  the  guns  of  a  queen's  cruiser  ?  " 

6 '  Mr.  Alderman,  my  admiration  of  your  niece  is  not  un 
known  to  you." 

"  I  have  suspected  it,  sir,"  returned  the  burgher,  who  be 
lieved  the  tenor  of  the  compromise  was  getting  clearer,  but 
who  still  waited  to  know  the  exact  value  of  the  concessions 
the'  other  party  would  make,  before  he  closed  a  bargain  in  a 
hurry,  of  which  he  might  repent  at  his  leisure.  "  Indeed,  it 
has  even  been  the  subject  of  some  discourse  between  us." 

"This  admiration  induced  me  to  visit  your  villa  the  past 
night—" 

"This  is  a  fact  too  well  established,  young  gentleman." 

"  Whence  I  took  away—"  Ludlow  hesitated,  as  if  anxious 
*o  select  his  words — 

'•c  AMda  Barberie." 

"  Alida  Barberie!" 

'  Ay  s  sir ;  my  niece,  or  perhaps  I  should  say  my  heiress,  as 
weil  as  the  heiress  of  old  Etienne  de  Barberie.  The  cruise 
was  short,  Captain  Cornelius  Ludlow ;  but  the  prize-money 
will  be  ample — unless,  indeed,  a  claim  to  neutral  privileges 
should  be  established  in  favor  of  part  of  the  cargo  !  " 

( <SIr?  your  pleasantry  is  amusing,  but  I  have  little  leisure 
tor  its  enjoyment.  That  I  visited  the  Cour  des  Fees  shall  not  be 
denied*  I  think  la  belle  Barberie  will  not  be  offended,  undef 
the  circumstances,  with  this  acknowledgment." 


I2O  THE    W ATE  SWITCH, 

' '  If  she  is,  the  jade  has  a  rare  squeamishness,  after  what  hai 
passed  !  " 

"  I  pretend  not  to  judge  of  more  than  my  duty.     The  de 
sire  to  serve  my  royal  mistress  had  induced  me,  Mr,  Van  Bev 
erout,  to  cause  a  seaman  of  odd  attire  and  audacious  deport 
ment  to  enter  the  Coquette.     You  will  know  the  man  when  I 
tell  you  that  he  was  your  companion  in  the  island  ferry-boat,'" 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  confess  there  was  a  mariner  of  the  long  voyage 
there,  who  caused  much  surprise,  and  some  uneasiness  to  my 
self  and  niece,  as  well  as  to  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook." 

Ludlow  smiled  like  one  not  to  be  deceived,  as  he  continued  • 

"  Well,  sir,  this  man  so  far  succeeded  as  to  tempt  me  tc 
suffer  him  to  land  under  the  obligation  of  some  half-extorted 
promise — we  came  into  the  river  together,  and  entered  you* 
grounds  in  company." 

Alderman  Van  Beverout  now  began  to  listen  like  a  man  whc 
dreaded,  while  he  desired,  to  catch  each  syllable.  Observing 
that  Ludlow  paused,  and  watched  his  countenance  with  a  cool 
and  steady  eye,  he  recovered  his  self-command,  and  affected  a 
mere  ordinary  curiosity,  while  he  signed  to  him  to  proceed. 

"  I  am  not  sure  I  tell  Alderman  Van  Beverout  any  thing 
that  is  new,"  resumed  the  young  officer,  "when  I  add  that 
the  fellow  suffered  me  to  visit  the  pavilion,  and  then  contrived 
to  lead  me  into  an  ambush  of  lawless  men,  having  previously 
succeeded  in  making  captives  of  my  boat's  crew." 

"  Seizures  and  warrants!"  exclaimed  the  burgher,  in  his 
natural  strong  and  hasty  manner  of  speaking.  "This  is  the 
first  I  have  heard  of  the  affair.  It  was  ill-judged,  to  call  it  by 
no  other  term." 

Ludlow  seemed  relieved  when  he  saw  by  the  undisguised 
amazement  of  his  companion  that  the  latter  was,  in  truth, 
ignorant  of  the  manner  in  which  he  had  been  detained. 

"  It  might  not  have  been,  sir,  had  our  watch  been  as  vigi 
lant  as  their  artifice  was  deep,"  he  continued.  "But  I  was 
little  guarded,  and  having  no  means  to  reach  my  ship,  I — *' 

"  Ay,  ay,  Captain  Ludlow  ;  it  is  not  necessary  to  be  so  cir 
cumstantial;  you  proceeded  to  the  wharf,  and — " 

"  Perhaps,  sir,  I  obeyed  my  feelings  rather  than  my  duty/' 
observed  Ludlow,  coloring  high,  when  he  perceived  that  th< 
burgher  paused  to  clear  his  throat.  "  I  returned  to  the  pavil 
ion,  where — " 

"  You  persuaded  a  niece  to  forget  her  duty  to  her  uncle  and 
protector." 

**  This  is  a  harsh  and  most  unjustifiably  charge,  both   as  re 


THE    WATER  WITCH.  121 

spects  the  young  lady  and  mystlf.  I  can  distinguish  between  a 
very  natural  desire  to  possess  articles  of  commerce  that  are 
denied  by  the  laws,  and  a  more  deliberate  and  mercenary  plot 
against  the  revenue  of  the  country.  I  believe  there  are  few  of 
her  years  and  sex  who  would  refuse  to  purchase  the  articles  I 
saw  presented  to  the  eyes  of  la  belle  Barberie,  especially  when 
the  utmost  hazard  could  be  no  more  than  their  loss,  as  they 
Tyere  already  introduced  into  the  country." 

"A  just  discrimination,  and  one  likely  to  render  the  ar 
rangement  of  our  little  affairs  less  difficult !  I  was  sure  that 
my  old  friend  the  counsellor  would  not  have  left  a  son  of  his 
ignorant  of  principles,  more  especially  as  he  was  about  to  em 
bark  in  a  profession  of  so  much  responsibility.  And  so  my 
niece  had  the  imprudence  to  entertain  a  dealer  in  contra 
band?  " 

' '  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  there  were  boats  in  motion  on 
the  water  between  this  landing  and  the  brigantine  in  the  cove. 
A  periagua  even  left  the  river  for  the  city,  at  the  extraordinary 
hour  of  midnight !  " 

"  Sir,  boats  will  move  on  the  water,  when  the  hands  of  man 
set  them  in  motion ;  but  what  have  I  to  answer  for  in  the  mat 
ter  ?  If  goods  have  entered  the  province  without  license,  why, 
they  must  be  found  and  condemned  ;  and  if  free-traders  are 
on  the  coast,  they  should  be  caught.  Would  it  not  be  well  to 
proceed  to  town,  and  lay  the  fact  of  this  strange  brigantine's 
presence  before  the  governor,  without  delay  ?  " 

"  I  have  other  intentions.  If,  as  you  say,  goods  have  gone 
up  the  bay,  it  is  too  late  for  me  to  stop  them  ;  but  it  is  not  too 
late  to  attempt  to  seize  yon  brigantine.  Now,  I  would  perform 
this  duty  in  a  manner  as  little  likely  to  offend  any  of  reputable 
name,  as  my  allegiance  will  admit." 

"  Sir,  I  extol  this  discretion — not  that  there  is  any  testimony 
to  implicate  more  than  the  crew,  but  credit  is  a  delicate  flower, 
and  it  should  be  handled  tenderly.  I  see  an  opening  for  an 
arrangement — but,  we  will,  as  in  duty  bound,  hear  your  prop 
ositions  first,  since  you  may  be  said  to  speak  with  the  authority 
of  the  queen.  I  will  merely  surmise  that  terms  should  be 
moderate,  between  friends — perhaps  I  should  say,  between 
connections,  Captain  Ludlow." 

"I  am  flattered  by  the  word,  sir,"  returned  the  young 
sailor,  smiling  with  an  expression  of  delight.  "  First  suffer 
me  to  be  admitted  to  the  charming  Cour  des  Fees  but  for  a 
moment." 

"  That  is  a  favor  which  can  hardly  be  refused  you,  whomaf 


122  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

be  said  to  have  a  right,  now,  to  enter  the  pavilion  at  pleasure," 
returned  the  alderman,  unhesitatingly  leading  the  way  through 
l  -e  long  passage  to  the  deserte.d  apartments  of  his  niece,  and 
continuing  the  blind  allusions  to  the  affairs  of  the  preceding 
night,  in  the  same  indirect  manner  as  had  distinguished  the 
dialogue  during  the  whole  interview.  "  I  shall  not  be  unrea 
sonable,  young  gentleman,  and  here  is  the  pavilion  of  my  niece  ; 
4  wish  I  could  add,  and  here  also  is  its  mistress  !  " 

"  And  is  la  belle  Barberie  no  longer  a  tenant  of  la  Cour  des 
Fees,"  demanded  Ludlow,  in  a  surprise  too  natural  to  be 
ieigned. 

Alderman  Van  Beverout  regarded  the  young  man  in  won 
der  ;  pondered  a  moment,  to  consider  how  far  denying  a 
knowledge  of  the  absence  of  his  niece  might  benefit  the  officer, 
in  the  pending  negotiations;  and  he  dryly  observed:  "Boats 
passed  on  the  water,  during  the  night.  If  the  men  of  Captain 
Ludlow  were  at  first  imprisoned,  I  presume  they  were  set  at 
liberty  at  the  proper  time." 

"  They  are  carried  I  know  -not  whither  —  the  boat  itself  is 
gone,  and  I  am  here  alone." 

"  Am  I  to  understand,  Captain  Ludlow,  that  Alida  Bar- 
b£rie  has  not  fled  my  house,  during  the  past  night,  to  seek  a 
refuge  in  your  ship  ?  " 

"  Fled  !  "  echoed  the  young  man,  in  a  voice  of  horror. 
"  Has  Aiida  de  Barberie  fled  from  the  house  of  her  uncle  at 


11  Captain  Ludlow,  this  is  not  acting.  On  the  honor  of  a 
gentleman,  are  you  ignorant  of  my  niece's  absence  ?  " 

The  young  commander  did  not  answer  ;  but,  striking  his 
head  fiercely,  he  smothered  words  that  were  unintelligible  to 
his  companion.  When  his  momentary  burst  of  feeling  was 
past,  he  sank  into  a  chair,  and  gazed  about  him  in  stupid 
amazement.  All  this  pantomime  was  inexplicable  to  the  alder 
man,  who,  however,  began  to  see  that  more  of  the  conditions 
of  the  arrangement  in  hand  were  beyond  the  control  of  his 
companion  than  he  had  at  first  believed.  Still  the  plot  thick- 
sned,  rather  than  grew  clear  ;  and  he  was  afraid  to  speak,  lest 
he  might  utter  more  than  was  prudent.  The  silence,  there 
fore,  continued  for  quite  a  minute;  during  which  time,  the 
parties  sat  gazing  at  each  other  in  dull  wonder. 

'*  I  shall  not  deny,  Captain  Ludlow,  that  I  believed  you  had 
prevailed  on  my  niece  to  fly  aboard  the  Coquette  ;  for,  though 
a  man  who  has  always  kept  his  feelings  in  his  own  command, 
as  the  safest  manner  of  managing  paiticular  interests,  yet  I  am 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  12$ 

not  to  learn  that  rash  youth  is  often  guilty  of  folly.  I  am  now 
equally  at  a  loss  with  yourself  to  know  what  has  become  of 
her,  since  here  she  is  not." 

"  Hold  ! "  eagerly  interrupted  Ludlow.  "  A  boat  left 
your  wharf,  for  the  city,  in  the  earlier  hours  of  the  morning. 
Is  it  not  possible  that  she  may  have  taken  a  passage  in  it?" 

"  It  is  not  possible.  I  have  reasons  to  know — in  short,  sir, 
she  is  not  there." 

"Then  is  the  unfortunate — the  lovely — the  indiscreet  girl 
forever  lost  to  herself  and  us  !  "  exclaimed  the  young  sailor, 
groaning  under  his  mental  agony.  "  Rash,  mercenary  man  I 
to  what  an  act  of  madness  has  this  thirst  of  gold  driven  one  so 
fair — would  I  could  say,  so  pure  and  so  innocent !  " 

But  while  the  distress  of  the  lover  was  thus  violent,  and 
caused  him  to  be  so  little  measured  in  his  terms  of  reproach, 
the  uncle  of  the  fair  offender  appeared  to  be  lost  in  surprise. 
Though  la  belle  Barberie  had  so  well  preserved  the  decorum 
and  reserve  of  her  sex,  as  to  leave  even  her  suitors  in  doubt  of 
the  way  her  inclinations  tended,  the  watchful  alderman  had 
long  suspected  that  the  more  ardent,  open,  and  manly  com 
mander  of  the  Coquette  was  likely  to  triumph  over  one  so  cold 
in  exterior,  and  so  cautious  in  his  advances,  as  the  Patroon  of 
Kinderhook.  When,  therefore,  it  became  apparent  Alida  had 
disappeared,  he  quite  naturally  inferred  that  she  had  taken  the 
simplest  manner  of  defeating  all  his  plans  for  favoring  the  suit 
of  the  latter,  by  throwing  herself,  at  once,  into  the  arms  of  the 
young  sailor.  The  laws  of  the  colonies  offered  few  obstacles 
to  the  legality  of  their  union  ;  and  when  Ludlow  appeared  that 
morning,  he  firmly  believed  that  he  beheld  one  who,  if  he 
were  not  so  already,  was  inevitably  soon  to  become  his  nephew. 
But  the  suffering  of  the  disappointed  youth  could  not  be  coun 
terfeited  ;  and  the  perplexed  alderman  seemed  utterly  at  a  loss 
to  conjecture  what  could  have  become  of  his  niece.  Wonder, 
rather  than  pain,  possessed  him;  and  when  he  suffered  his 
ample  chin  to  repose  on  the  finger  and  thumb  of  one  hand,  it 
was  with  the  air  of  a  man  that  revolved,  in  his  mind,  all  the 
plausible  points  of  some  knotty  question. 

"  Holes  and  corners  !  "  he  muttered,  after  a  long  silence; 
"  the  wilful  minx  cannot  be  playing  at  hide-and-seek  with  her 
friends  !  The  hussy  had  ever  too  much  of  la  famille  de  Bar 
berie,  and  her  high  Norman  blood  about  her,  as  that  silly  old 
valet  has  it,  to  stoop  to  such  childish  trifling.  Gone  she  cer 
tainly  is,"  he  continued,  looking  again  into  the  empty  drawers 
•and  closets,  "and  with  her  the  valuables  have  disappeared.. 


124  THE    WATERWITCH. 

The  guitar  is  missing — the  lute  I  sent  across  the  ocean  to  pur 
chase,  an  excellently-toned  Dutch  lute,  that  cost  every  stivei 
of  one  hundred  guilders,  is  also  wanting,  and  all  the — hem — 
the  recent  accessions  have  disappeared.  And  there,  too,  are 
my  sister's  jewels,  that  I  persuaded  her  to  bring  along,  to  guard 
against  accidents  while  our  backs  are  turned — they  are  not  to 
be  seen. — Francois!  Francois!  Thou  long- tried  servitor  of 
Etienne  Barberie,  what  the  devil  has  become  of  thy  mistress?*' 

"Mais,  monsieur,"  returned  the  disconsolate  valet,  whose 
decent  features  exhibited  all  the  signs  of  unequivocal  suffering, 
"  she  no  tell  le  pauvre  Francois  !  En  supposant,  que  monsieur, 
ask  le  capitaine,  he  shall  probablement  know." 

The  burgher  cast  a  quick,  suspicious  glance  at  Ludlow,  and 
shook  his  head,  to  express  his  belief  that  the  young  man  was 
true. 

"  Go ;  desire  Mr.  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook  to  favor  us 
with  his  company." 

"Hold!"  cried  Ludlow,  motioning  to  the  valet  to  with 
draw.  "Mr.  Beverout,  an  uncle  should  be  tender  of  the 
errors  of  one  so  dear  as  this  cruel,  unreflecting  girl.  You 
cannot  think  of  abandoning  her  to  so  frightful  a  fortune?" 

"I  am  not  addicted  to  abandoning  any  thing,  sir,  to  which 
my  title  is  just  and  legal.  But  you  speak  in  enigmas.  If  you 
are  acquainted  with  the  place  where  my  niece  is  secreted,  avow 
it  frankly,  and  permit  me  to  take  those  measures  which  the 
case  requires. ' ' 

Ludlow  reddened  to  his  forehead,  and  he  struggled  power 
fully  with  his  pride  and  his  regrets. 

"It  is  useless  to  attempt  concealing  the  step  which  Alida 
Barberie  has  been  pleased  to  take,"  he  said,  a  smile  so  bitter 
passing  over  his  features  as  to  lend  them  the  expression  of 
severe  mockery;  "she  has  chosen  more  worthily  than  either 
of  us  could  have  believed;  "she  has  found  a  companion 
more  suited  to  her  station,  her  character,  and  her  sex,  than 
Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook,  or  a  poor  commander  of  a  queen's 
ship!" 

"Cruisers  and  manors!  What  in  the  name  of  myster 
ies  is  thy  meaning  ?  The  girl  is  not  here ;  you  declare 
she  is  not  on  board  the  Coquette ;  and  there  remains 
only " 

"The  brigantine  !  "  groaned  the  young  sailor,  uttering  the 
word  by  a  violent  effort  of  the  will. 

"  The  brigantine  !  "  repeated  th*  alderman,  slowly.     "  My 


THE    WATER-WITCH, 

niece  can  have  nothing  to  do  aboard  a  dealer  in  contraband* 
That  is  to  say,  Alida  Barberie  is  not  a  trader." 

'  *  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  if  we  wish  to  escape  the  con 
tamination  of  vice,  its  society  must  be  avoided.  There  was 
one  in  the  pavilion,  of  a  mien  and  assurance  the  past  night, 
that  might  delude  an  angel. — Ah  !  woman  !  woman  !  thy  mind 
is  composed  of  vanities,  and  thy  imagination  is  thy  bitterest 
toe  !  " 

"  Women  and  vanities  !  "  echoed  the  amazed  burgher,  "  My 
niece,  the  heiress  of  old  Etienne  Marie  d.e  Barberie,  and  the 
sought  of  so  many  of  honorable  names  and  respectable  pro 
fessions,  to  be  a  refugee  with  a  rover — always  supposing  your 
opinions  of  the  character  of  the  brigantine  to  be  just.  This  is 
a  conjecture  too  improbable  to  be  true." 

*  *  The  eye  of  a  lover,  sir,  may  be  keener  than  that  of  a 
guardian — call  it  jealousy,  if  you  will — would  to  Heaven  my 
suspicions  were  untrue  ! — but  if  she  be  not  there,  where  is 
she?" 

"The  opinion  of  the  alderman  seemed  staggered.  If  la 
belle  Barberie  had  not  yielded  to  the  fascinations  of  that  way 
ward  but  seductive  eye  and  smile,  to  that  singular  beauty  of 
face,  and  to  the  secret  and  often  irresistible  charm  that 
encircles  eminent  personal  attractions,  when  aided  by 
mystery — to  what  had  she  yielded,  and  whither  had  she 
fled?" 

These  were  reflections  that  now  began  to  pass  through  the 
thoughts  of  the  alderman,  as  they  had  already  planted  stings 
in  the  bosom  of  Ludlow.  With  reflection,  conviction  began 
slowly  to  assert  its  power.  But  the  truth  did  not  gleam  upon 
the  mind  of  the  calculating  and  wary  merchant,  with  the  same 
instinctive  readiness  that  it  had  flashed  upon  the  jealous  fac 
ulties  of  the  lover.  He  pondered  on  each  circumstance  of  the 
interview  between  the  dealer  in  contraband  and  his  niece;  re 
called  the  manner  and  discourse  of  the  former ;  drew  certain 
general  and  vague  conjectures  concerning  the  power  which 
novelty,  when  coupled  with  circumstances  of  romance,  might 
exercise  over  a  female  fancy  ;  and  dwelt  long  and  secretly  on 
some  important  facts  that  were  alone  known  to  himself,  before 
his  judgment  finally  settled  down  into  the  same  opinion  as  that 
which  his  companion  had  formed,  with  all  the  sensitiveness  of 
jealous  alarm. 

"Women  and  vagaries!"  muttered  the  burgher,  after  hilt 
study  was  ended.  "Their  conceits  are  as  uncertain  as  the 
profits  of  a  whaling-voyage,  or  the  luck  of  a  sportsman.  Cap 


136  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

tain  Ludlow,  your  assistance  will  be  needed  in  this  affair;  and 
as  it  may  not  be  too  late,  since  there  are  few  priests 
in  the  brigan  tine— ^always  supposing  her  character  to  be 
what  you  affirm — my  niece  may  yet  see  her  error,  and 
be  disposed  to  reward  so  much  assiduity  and  attachment." 

"  My  services  shall  always  be  ready,  so  long  as  they  can  be 
useful  to  Alida  Barberie,"  returned  the  young  officer  with 
ha?te,  and  yet  a  little  coldly.  "  It  will  be  time  enough  to 
speak  of  the  reward  when  we  shall  have  succeeded." 

1 '  The  less  noise  that  is  made  about  a  little  domestic  incon 
venience  like  this,  the  better  ;  and  I  would  therefore  suggest 
the  propriety  of  keeping  our  suspicions  of  the  character  of  the 
vessel  a  secret,  until  we  shall  be  better  informed." 

The  captain  bowed  his  assent  to  the  proposal. 

"  And  now  that  we  are  of  the  same  mind  in  the  preliminar 
ies,  we  will  seek  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook,  who  has  a  claim 
to  participate  in  our  confidence." 

Myndert  then  led  the  way  from  the  empty  and  melancholy 
Cour  des  Fees,  with  a  step  that  had  regained  its  busy  and  firm 
tread,  and  a  countenance  that  expressed  far  more  of  vexation 
and  weariness  than  of  real  sorrow. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

•« — I'll  give  thee  a  wind. 
—Thou  art  kind. 
—And  I  another. 
— I  myself  have  all  the  other." 

MACBETH. 

THE  cloud  above  the  mouth  of  the  Raritan  had  not  risen* 
On  the  contrary,  the  breeze  still  came  from  off  the  sea ;  and 
the  brigantine  in  the  cove,  with  the  cruiser  of  the  queen,  still 
lay  at  their  anchors,  like  two  floating  habitations  that  were  not 
intended  to  be  removed.  The  hour  was  that  at  which  the- 
character  of  the  day  becomes  fixed  ;  and  there  was  no  longer 
any  expectation  that  a  land-wind  would  enable  the  vessel  of 
the  free-trader  to  repass  the  inlet  before  the  turn  of  the  tide, 
which  was  again  running  swiftly  on  the  flood. 

The  windows  of  the  Lust  in  Rust  were  open,  as  when  its 
owner  was  present ;  and  the  menials  were  employed  in  and 
about  the  villa  in  their  customary  occupations ;  though  it  was 
evident,  by  the  manner  in  which  they  stopped  to  converse,  and 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  I27 

by  the  frequent  conferences  which  had  place  in  secret  corners, 
that  they  wondered  none  the  less  at  the  unaccountable  disap 
pearance  of  their  young  mistress.  In  all  other  respects,  the 
villa  and  its  grounds  were,  as  usual,  quiet  and  seemingly  de 
serted. 

But  there  was  a  group  collected  beneath  the  shade  of  an  oak 
on  the  margin  of  the  cove,  and  at  a  point  where  it  was  rare 
for  man  to  be  seen.  This  little  party  appeared  to  be  in  waiting 
for  some  expected  communication  from  thv.  brigantine ;  since 
they  had  taken  post  on  the  side  of  the  inlet  next  the  cape,  and 
in  a  situation  so  retired  as  to  be  entirely  hid  from  any  passing 
observation  of  those  who  might  enter  or  leave  the  mouth  of 
the  Shrewsbury.  In  short,  they  were  on  the  long,  low,  and 
narrow  barrier  of  sand,  that  now  forms  the  projection  of  the 
Hook,  and  which,  by  the  temporary  breach  that  the  cove  had 
made  between  its  own  waters  and  that  of  the  ocean,  was  then 
an  island. 

"  Snug  should  be  the  motto  of  a  merchant,"  observed  one 
of  these  individuals,  whose  opinions  will  sufficiently  announce 
his  name  to  the  reader.  "  He  should  be  snug  in  his  dealings- 
and  snug  in  his  manner  of  conducting  them ;  snug  in  his  cred 
its,  and,  above  all,  snug  in  his  speculations.  There  is  as  little 
need,  gentlemen,  in  calling  in  the  aid  of  a  posse-comitat'iis  for 
a  sensible  man  to  keep  his  household  in  order,  as  that  a  dis 
creet  trader  should  go  whistling  through  the  public  markets, 
with  the  history  of  his  operations.  I  gladly  court  two  so 
worthy  assistants  as  Captain  Cornelius  Ludlow  and  Mr.  Oloff 
Van  Staats ;  for  I  know  there  will  be  no  useless  gossip  con 
cerning  the  trifling  derangement  that  hath  occurred.  Ah  !  the 
black  hath  had  communications  with  the  free-trader — always 
supposing  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Ludlow  concerning  the  character 
of  the  vessel  to  be  just — and  he  is  quitting  the  brigantine/' 

Neither  of  the  companions  of  the  alderman  made  any  re 
ply.  Each  watched  the  movement  of  the  skiff  that  contained 
their  messenger,  and  each  seemed  to  feel  an  equal  interest  in 
the  result  of  his  errand.  Instead,  however,  of  approaching  the 
spot  where  his  master  and  his  two  friends  expected  him,  the 
negro,  though  he  knew  that  his  boat  was  necessary  to  enable 
the  party  to  recross  the  inlet,  pulled  directly  for  the  mouth  of 
the  river — a  course  that  was  exactly  contrary  to  the  one  he  was 
expected  to  take. 

4 'Rank  disobedience!"  grumbled  the  incensed  master, 
"  The  irreverent  dog  is  deserting  us,  on  this  neck  of  barren 
sand,  where  we  are  cut  off  from  all  communication  with  the 


138  THE   WATER.WITCH, 

interior,  and  are  as  completely  without  intelligence  of  the  stata 
of  the  market,  and  other  necessaries,  as  men  in  a  desert !  " 

"  Here  comes  one  that  seems  disposed  to  bring  us  to  a  par- 
'ey,"  observed  Ludlow,  whose  practised  eye  had  first  detected 
a  boat  quitting  the  side  of  the  brigantine,  as  well  as  the  direc 
tion  it  was  about  to  steer. 

The  young  commander  was  not  deceived  ;  for  a  light  cutter, 
that  played  like  a  bubble  on  its  element,  was  soon  approach 
ing  the  shore,  where  the  three  expectants  were  seated.  When 
it  was  near  enough  to  render  sight  perfectly  distinct,  and 
speech  audible  without  an  effort,  the  crew  ceased  rowing,  and 
permitted  the  boat  to  lie  in  a  state  of  rest.  The  mariner  of 
the  India  shawl  then  arose  in  the  stern-sheets,  and  examined 
the  thicket  behind  the  party  with  a  curious  and  suspicious  eye. 
After  a  sufficient  search,  he  signed  to  his  crew  to  force  the  cut 
ter  still  nigher  to  the  land,  and  spoke : 

"Who  has  any  affairs  with  any  of  the  brigantine?"  he 
coolly  demanded,  wearing  the  air  of  one  who  had  no  reason  to 
anticipate  the  object  of  their  visit.  "She  has  little  left  that 
can  turn  to  profit,  unless  she  parts  with  her  beauty." 

"Truly,  good  stranger,"  returned  the  alderman,  laying  a 
sufficient  emphasis  on  the  latter  word,  "  here  are  none  dis 
posed  to  a  traffic,  which  might  not  be  pleasing  to  the  authori 
ties  of  the  country,  were  its  nature  known.  We  come  with  a 
desire  to  be  admitted  to  a  conference  with  the  commander  of 
the  vessel,  on  a  matter  of  especial  but  private  concern." 

"  Why  send  a  public  officer  on  the  duty?  I  see  one,  there, 
•in  the  livery  of  Queen  Anne.  We  are  no  lovers  of  her 
^majesty's  servants,  and  would  not  willingly  form  disagreeable 
acquaintances." 

Ludlow  nearly  bit  through  his  lip,  in  endeavoring  to  repress 
his  anger  at  the  cool  confidence  of  one  who  had  already 
*  treated  him  with  so  little  ceremony,  and  then  momentarily  for 
getting  his  object,  in  professional  pride,  and  perhaps  we  might 
,idd  in  the  habits  of  his  rank,  he  interrupted  the  dialogue: 

''  *f  you  see  the  livery  of  the  royal  authority,"  he  said, 
hau0iitily,  "you  must  be  sensible  it  is  worn  by  one  who  is 
commissioned  to  cause  its  right  to  be  respected.  I  demand 
the  name  and  character  of  yon  brigantine  !  " 

' '  As  for  character,  she  is,  like  many  another  beauty,  some 
thing  vituperated  ;  nay,  some  carry  their  envy  so  far  as  to  call 
it  cracked  !  But  we  are  jolly  mariners  that  sail  her,  and  little 
heed  crazy  reports  at  the  expense  of  our  mistress.  As  for  a 


THE    WAsER-WITCH  !££ 

name,  we  answer  any  hail  that  is  fairly  spoken,  a«d  well  meant 
Call  us  *  Honesty/  if  you  will,  for  want  of  the  register." 

' <  There  is  much  reason  to  suspect  your  vessel  of  illegal 
practices ;  and,  in  the  name  of  the  queen,  I  demand  access  to 
\er  papers,  and  the  liberty  of  a  free  search  into  her  cargo  and 
crew.  Else  will  there  be  necessity  to  bring  her  under  the  guns 
of  the  cruiser,  which  lies  at  no  great  distance,  waiting  only  for 
orders." 

"It  takes  no  scholar  to  read  our  documents,  Captain  Lud- 
low ;  they  are  written  by  a  light  keel  on  the  rolling  waters, 
and  he  who  follows  in  our  wake  may  guess  at  their  authority. 
If  you  wish  to  overhaul  our  cargo,  you  must  look  sharply  in 
to  the  cuffs  and  aprons,  the  n&gliges  and  stomachers  of  the 
governor's  lady,  at  the  next  ball  at  the  fort ;  or  pry  into  the 
sail  that  is  set  above  the  farthingales  of  the  wife  and  daughters 
of  your  admiralty  judge  !  We  are  no  cheese-mongers,  to 
break  the  shins  of  a  boarding-officer  among  boxes  and  butter- 
tubs." 

"  Your  brigantine  has  a  name,  sirrah  ;  and,  in  her  majesty's 
authority,  I  demand  to  know  it." 

"  Heaven  forbid  that  any  here  should  dispute  the  queen's 
right !  You  are  a  seaman,  Captain  Ludlow,  and  have  an  eye 
for  comeliness  in  a  craft,  as  well  as  in  a  woman.  Look  at 
those  harpings  !  There  is  no  fall  of  a  shoulder  can  equal  that 
turve,  in  grace  or  richness  ;  this  shear  surpasses  the  justness 
and  delicacy  of  any  waist ;  and  there  you  see  the  transoms, 
swelling  and  rounded  like  the  outlines  of  a  Venus.  Ah  !  she 
is  a  bewitching  creature ;  and  no  wonder  that,  floating  as  she 
does,  on  the  seas,  they  should  have  called  her — " 

"Water-Witch:"  said  Ludlow,  finding  that  the  other 
paused. 

"You  deserve  to  be  one  of  the  sisterhood  yourself,  Captain 
Ludlow.  for  this  readiness  in  divination  !  " 

"  Amazement  and  surprise,  patroon  !  "  exclaimed  Myndert, 
with  a  tremendous  hem.  "  Here  is  a  discovery  to  give  a 
respectable  merchant  more  uneasiness  than  the  undutiful  con 
duct  of  fifty  nieces  !  This  vessel  is  then  the  famous  brigan 
tine  of  the  notorious  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  a  man  whose  mis 
deeds  in  commerce  are  as  universally  noted  as  the  stoppage  of 
a  general  dealer  ! — Pray,  Master  Mariner,  do  not  distrust  our 
purposes.  We  do  not  come,  sent  by  any  authority  of  the 
country,  to  pry  into  your  past  transactions,  of  which  it  is  quite 
unnecessary  for  you  to  speak  ;  and  far  less  to  indulge  in  any 
unlawful  thirst  of  gain,  by  urging  a  traffic  that  is  forbidden  hi 


450  tfllL    WATER-WITCH 

;he  law.  We  wish  solely  to  confer  with  the  celebrated  free 
trader  and  rover,  who  must,  if  your  account  be  true,  command 
tiie  vessel,  for  a  few  minutes,  on  an  affair  of  common  interest 
to  the  three.  This  officer  of  the  queen  is  obliged,  by  his  duty, 
to  make  certain  demands  of  you,  with  which  you  will  comply, 
or  not,  at  your  own  good  discretion  ;  and  since  her  majesty's 
cruiser  is  so  far  beyond  reach  of  bullet,  it  cannot  be  expected 
you  will  do  otherwise ;  but,  further  than  that,  he  has  no  pres 
ent  intention  to  proceed. — Parley  and  civilities!  Captain 
Ludlow,  we  must  speak  the  man  fair,  or  he  will  leave  us  to  get 
over  the  inlet,  and  back  to  the  Lust  in  Rust,  as  we  may  ;  and 
that  too,  as  empty-handed  as  we  came.  Remember  our  stipu 
lations,  without  observing  which  I  shall  withdraw  from  the  ad 
venture  altogether. ' ' 

Ludlow  bit  his  lip,  and  continued  silent.  The  seaman  of 
the  shawl,  or  Master  Tiller,  as  he  has  been  more  than  once 
called,  again  narrowly  examined  the  background,  and  caused 
his  boat  to  approach  so  near  the  land,  that  it  was  possible  to 
step  into  it  by  the  stern. 

"  Enter,"  he  said  to  the  captain  of  the  Coquette,  who 
needed  no  second  invitation ;  "  enter,  for  a  valuable  hostage  is 
.a  safe  pledge  in  a  truce.  The  Skimmer  is  no  enemy  to  good 
company ;  and  I  have  done  justice  to  the  queen's  servitor,  by 
introducing  him  already,  by  name  and  character." 

"  Fellow,  the  success  of  your  deception  may  cause  you  to 
triumph  for  a  time  ;  but  remember  that  the  Coquette — " 

"  Is  a  wholesome  boat,  whose  abilities  I  have  taken,  to  the 
admeasurement  of  her  moment-glass,"  observed  Tiller,  very 
coolly  taking  the  words  out  of  the  other's  mouth.  "  But  as 
there  is  business  to  be  done  with  the  Skimmer,  we  will  speak 
more  of  this  anon." 

The  mariner  of  the  shawl,  who  had  maintained  his  former 
audacious  demeanor,  now  became  grave ;  and  he  spoke  to  his 
crew  with  authority,  bidding  them  pull  the  boat  to  the  side  01 
the  brigantine. 

The  exploits,  the  mysterious  character,  and  the  daring  of 
the  Water- Witch,  and  of  him  who  sailed  her,  were,  in  that 
day,  the  frequent  subjects  of  anger,  admiration,'  and  surprise. 
Those  who  found  pleasure  in  the  marvellous,  listened  to  the 
wonders  that  were  recounted  of  her  speed  and  boldness  with 
pleasure;  they  who  had  been  so  often  foiled  in  their  attempts 
to  arrest  the  hardy  dealers  in  contraband,  reddened  at  her 
name;  and  all  wondered  at  the  success  and  intelligence  witfe 
vhich  her  movements  were  controlled.  It  will  ihereionfc. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  TJl 

create  no  astonishment  when  we  say  that  Ludlow  and  the 
patroon  drew  near  to  the  light  and  graceful  fabric  with  an  inter 
est  that  deepened  at  each  stroke  of  the  oars.  So  much  of  a 
profession  which,  in  that  age,  was  particularly  marked  ard 
apart  from  the  rest  of  mankind  in  habits  and  opinions,  had 
been  interwoven  into  the  character  of  the  former,  that  he  could 
not  see  the  just  proportions,  the  graceful  outlines  of  the  hull, 
or  the  exquisite  symmetry  and  neatness  of  the  spars  and 
rigging,  without  experiencing  a  feeling  somewhat  allied  to 
that  which-  undeniable  superiority  excites  in  the  heart  of  even 
a  rival.  There  was  also  a  taste  in  the  style  of  the  merely  orna 
mental  parts  of  the  delicate  machine,  which  caused  as  much 
surprise  as  her  model  and  rig.  % 

Seamen,  in  all  ages,  and  in  every  state  of  their  art,  have 
been  ambitious  of  bestowing  on  their  floating  habitations  a 
style  of  decoration  which,  while  appropriate  to  their  element, 
should  be  thought  somewhat  analogous  to  the  architectural 
ornaments  of  the  land.  Piety,  superstition,  and  national 
usages,  affect  these  characteristic  ornaments,  which  are  still 
seen,  in  different  quarters  of  the  world,  to  occasion  broad  dis 
tinctions  between  the  appearances  of  vessels.  In  one,  the 
rudder-head  is  carved  with  the  resemblance  of  some  hideous 
monster;  another  shows  goggling  eyes  and  lolling  tongues 
from  its  catheads;  this  has  the  patron  saint,  or  the  ever-kind 
Marie,  embossed  upon  its  mouldings  or  bows;  while  that  is 
covered  with  the  allegorical  emblems  of  country  and  duty. 
Few  of  these  efforts  of  nautical  art  are  successful ;  though  a 
better  taste  appears  to  be  gradually  redeeming  even  this  branch 
of  human  industry  from  the  rubbish  of  barbarism,  and  to  be 
elevating  it  to  a  state  which  shall  do  no  violence  to  the  more 
fastidious  opinions  of  the  age.  But  the  vessel  of  which  we 
write,  though  constructed  at  so  remote  a  period,  would  have 
done  credit  to  the  improvements  of  our  own  time. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  hull  of  this  celebrated  smuggler 
was  low,  dark,  moulded  with  exquisite  art,  and  so  justly 
balanced  as  to  ride  upon  its  element  like"  a  sea-fowl.  For  a 
little  distance  above  the  water,  it  showed  a  blue  that  vied  with 
the  color  of  the  deep  ocean,  the  use  of  copper  being  then  un 
known  ;  while  the  more  superior  parts  were  of  a  jet  black, 
delicately  relieved  by  two  lines  of  a  straw-color,  that  were 
drawn  with  mathematical  accuracy,  paralled  to  the  plane  of 
Her  upper  works,  and  consequently  converging  slightly  toward 
the  sea,  beneath  her  counter.  Glossy  hammock-cloths  con 
cealed  the  Dersor.s  of  tb^«e  who  we?-*  on  the  deck,  while  the 


132  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

close  bulwarks  gave  the  trigantine  the  air  of  a  vessel  equipped 
for  war.  Still  the  eye  of  Ludlow  ran  curiously  along  the 
whole  extent  of  the  two  straw-colored  lines,  seeking  in  vain 
some  evidence  of  the  weight  and  force 'of  her  armament.  If 
she  had  ports  at  all,  they  were  so  ingeniously  concealed  as  to 
escape  the  keenest  of  his  glances.  The  nature  of  the  rig  has 
been  already  described.  Partaking  of  the  double  character  of 
brig  and  schooner,  the  sails  and  spars  of  the  forward-mast 
being  of  the  former,  while  those  of  the  after-mast  were  of  the 
latter  construction,  seamen  have  given  to  this  class  of  shipping 
the  familiar  name  of  hermaphrodites.  But  though  there  might 
be  fancied  by  this  term,  some  want  of  the  proportions  that  con 
stitute  seemliness,  it  will  be  remembered  that  the  departure  was 
only  from  some  former  rule  of  art,  and  that  no  violence  had 
been  done  to  those  universal  and  permanent  laws  which  con 
stitute  the  charm  of  Nature.  The  models  of  glass  which  are 
seen  representing  the  machinery  of  a  ship,  are  not  more  exact 
or  just  in  their  lines  than  were  the  cordage  and  spars  of  this 
brigantine.  Not  a  rope  varied  from  its  true  direction  ;  not  a 
sail,  but  it  resembled  the  neat  folds  of  some  prudent  house 
wife  ;  not  a  mast  or  a  yard  was  there  but  it  rose  into  the  air,  or 
stretched  its  arms,  with  the  most  fastidious  attention  to 
symmetry.  All  was  airy,  fanciful,  and  full  of  grace,  seeming 
to  lend  to  the  fabric  a  character  of  unreal  lightness  and  speed. 
As  the  boat  drew  near  her  side,  a  change  of  the  air  caused  the 
buoyant  bark  to  turn  like  a  vane  in  its  current ;  and  as  all  the 
long  and  pointed  proportions  of  her  head-gear  came  into 
view,  Ludlow  saw  beneath  the  bowsprit  an  image  that 
might  be  supposed  to  make,  by  means  of  allegory,  some 
obvious  allusions  to  the  character  of  the  vessel.  A  female 
form,  fashioned  with  the  carver's  best  skill,  stood  on  the  pro 
jection  of  the  cutwater.  The  figure  rested  lightly  on  the  ball 
of  one  foot,  while  the  other  was  suspended  in  an  easy  attitude, 
resembling  the  airy  posture  of  the  famous  Mercury  of  the 
Bolognese.  The  drapery  was  fluttering,  scanty,  and  of  a  light 
sea-green  tint,  as  if  it  had  imbibed  a  hue  from  the  element 
beneath.  The  face  was  of  that  dark  bronzed  color  which 
human  ingenuity  has,  from  time  immemorial,  adopted  as  the 
best  medium  to  portray  a  superhuman  expression.  The  locks 
were  dishevelled,  wild,  and  rich ;  the  eye  full  of  such  a  mean 
ing  as  might  be  fancied  to  glitter  in  the  organs  of  a  sorceress ; 
while  a  smile  so  strangely  meaning  and  malign  played  about 
che  mouth,  that  the  young  sailor  started  when  it  first  met  his 
<riew,  as  if  a  living  thing  had  returned  his  look. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  133 

"  Witchcraft  and  necromacy  !  "  grumbled  the  alderman,  as 
this  extraordinary  image  came  suddenly  on  his  vision  also. 
"  Here  is  a  brazen-looking  hussy  !  and  one  who  might  rob  the 
queen's  treasury  itself,  without  remorse  !  Your  eyes  are  young, 
patroon ;  what  is  that  the  minx  holds  so  impudently  above  her 
head?" 

"It  seems  an  open  book,  with  letters  of  red  written  on  its 
pages.  One  need  not  be  a  conjurer  to  divine  it  is  no  extract 
from  the  Bible." 

"  Nor  from  the  statute-books  of  Queen  Anne.  I  warrant 
me  'tis  a  leger  of  profit  gained  in  her  many  wanderings. 
Goggling  and  leers  !  the  bold  air  of  the  confident  creature  is 
enough  to  put  an  honest  man  out  of  countenance  !  " 

"Wilt  read  the  motto  of  the  witch?"  demanded  he  of  the 
India  shawl,  whose  eye  had  been  studying  the  detail  of  the 
brigantine's  equipment,  rather  than  attending  to  the  object 
which  so  much  attracted  the  looks  of  his  companions.  "The 
night  air  has  tautened  the  cordage  of  that  flying  jib-boom,  fel 
lows,  until  it  begins  to  lift  its  nose  like  a  squeamish  cockney, 
when  he  holds  it  over  salt-water  !  See  to  it,  and  bring  the 
spar  in  line  ;  else  we  shall  have  a  reproof  from  the  sorceress, 
who  little  likes  to  have  any  of  her  limbs  deranged.  Here, 
gentlemen,  the  opinions  of  the  lady  may  be  read  as  clearly  as  a 
woman's  mind  can  ever  be  fathomed." 

While  speaking  to  his  crew,  Tiller  had  changed  the  direc 
tion  of  the  boat ;  and  it  was  soon  lying,  in  obedience  to  a  mo 
tion  of  his  hand,  directly  beneath  the  wild  and  significant- 
looking  image  just  described.  The  letters  in  red  were  now 
distinctly  visible  ;  and  when  Alderman  Van  Beverout  had  ad 
justed  his  spectacles,  each  of  the  party  read  the  following  sen 
tence  : 

«« Albeit  I  never  lend  nor  borrow, 
By  taking,  nor  by  giving  of  excess, 
Yet  to  supply  the  ripe  wants  of  my  friend, 
I'll  break  a  custom." 

MERCHANT  OF  VENICE. 

"  The  brazen  !  "  exclaimed  Myndert,  when  he  had  gone 
through  this  quotation  from  the  immortal  bard.  "  Ripe  or 
green,  one  could  not  wish  to  be  the  friend  of  so  impudent  a 
thing;  and  then  to  impute  such  sentiments  to  any  respectable 
commercial  man,  whether  of  Venice  or  Amsterdam  !  Let  us 
board  the  brigantine,  friend  mariner,  and  end  the  connection 
ere  foul  mouths  begin  to  traduce  our  motives  for  the  visit." 


134  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"  The  over-driven  ship  ploughs  the  seas  too  deep  for  speed ; 
we  shall  get  into  port  in  better  season  without  this  haste. 
Wilt  take  another  look  into  the  lady's  pages?  A  woman's 
mind  is  never  known  at  the  first  answer." 

The  speaker  raised  the  rattan  he  still  carried  and  caused  a 
page  of  painted  metal  to  turn  on  hinges  that  were  so  artfully 
concealed  as  not  to  be  visible.  A  new  surface,  with  another 
extract,  was  seen. 

"  What  is  it,  what  is  it,  patroon  ?  "  demanded  the  burgher, 
who  appeared  greatly  to  distrust  the  discretion  of  the  sorceress. 
u  Follies  and  rhymes  !  but  this  is  the  way  of  the  whole  sex ; 
when  Nature  has  denied  them  tongues,  they  invent  othei 
means  of  speech." 

M  Porters  of  the  sea  and  land, 
Thus  do  go  about,  abomt ; 
Thrice  to  thine,  and  thrice  to  thine, 
And  thrice  again  to  make  up  nine." 

"Rank  nonsense !"  continued  the  burgher.  "It  is  well 
for  those  who  can,  to  add  thrice  and  thrice  to  their  stores ;  but 
look  you,  patroon — it  is  a  thriving  trade  that  can  double  th« 
value  of  the  adventure,  and  that  with  reasonable  risks,  and 
months  of  patient  watching." 

"We  have  other  pages, "resumed  Tiller,  "  but  our  affairs 
drag  for  want  of  attending  to  them.  One  may  read  much 
good  matter  in  the  book  of  the  sorceress,  when  there  is  leisure 
and  opportunity.  I  often  take  occasion,  in  the  calms,  to  \oo\i 
into  her  volume  ;  and  it  is  rare  to  find  the  same  moral  twio 
told,  as  these  brave  seamen  can  swear." 

The  mariners  at  the  oars  confirmed  this  assertion  by  thei 
grave  and  believing  faces,  while  their  superior  caused  the  boa 
to  quit  the  place,  and  the  image  of  the  Water- Witch  was  lei 
floating  in  solitude  above  her  proper  element. 

The  arrival  of  the  cutter  produced  no  sensation  among, 
those  who  were  found  on  the  deck  of  the  brigantine.  The 
mariner  of  the  shawl  welcomed  his  companions  frankly  and 
heartily;  and  then  he  left  them  for  a  minute  to  make  their 
observations,  while  he  discharged  som  duty  in  the  interior  of 
the  vessel.  The  moments  were  not  lost,  as  powerful  curiosity 
induced  all  the  visitors  to  gaze  about  them,  in  the  manner  in 
which  men  study  the  appearance  of  any  celebrated  object,  that 
has  long  been  known  only  by  reputation.  It  was  quite  ap 
parent  that  even  Alderman  Van  Beverout  had  penetrated 
farther  into  the  mysteries  of  the  beautiful  brigantine,  than  h* 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  \}± 

nad  ever  before  been.  But  it  was  Ludlow  who  gathered 
most  from  this  brief  opportunity,  and  whose  understanding 
glances  so  rapidly  and  eagerly  ran  over  all  that  a  seaman 
could  wish  to  examine. 

An  admirable  neatness  reigned  in  every  part.  The  planks 
of  the  deck  resembled  the  work  of  the  cabinet-maker,  rather 
than  the  coarser  labor  which1  is  generally  seen  in  such  a  place  ; 
and  the  same  excellence  of  material,  and  exactness  in  the 
finish,  were  visible  in  the  ceilings  of  the  light  bulwarks,  the 
railings,  and  all  the  other  objects  which  necessarily  came  con 
spicuously  into  view,  in  the  construction  of  such  a  fabric. 
Brass  was  tastefully  rather  than  lavishly  used,  on  many  of 
those  parts  where  metal  was  necessary  ;  and  the  paint  of  the 
interior  was  everywhere  a  light  and  delicate  straw-color. 
Armament  there  was  none,  or  at  least  none  visible ;  nor  did 
the  fifteen  or  twenty  grave-looking  seamen,  who  were  silently 
lounging  with  folded  arms,  about  the  vessel,  appear  to  be  those 
who  would  find  pleasure  in  scenes  of  violence.  They  were, 
without  an  exception,  men  who  had  reached  the  middle  age, 
of  weather-worn  and  thoughtful  countenances,  many  of  them 
even  showing  heads  that  had  begun  to  be  grizzled  more  by  time 
than  even  by  exposure.  Thus  much  Ludlow  had  been  enabled 
to  ascertain,  ere  they  were  rejoined  by  Tiller.  When  the  lat 
ter  again  came  on  deck,  he  showed,  however,  no  desire  to  con 
ceal  any  of  the  perfections  of  his  habitation. 

"  The  wilful  sorceress  is  no  niggard  in  accommodating  her 
followers,"  said  the  mariner,  observing  the  manner  in  which 
the  queen's  officer  was  employed.  "  Here,  you  see,  the  skim 
mer  keeps  room  enough  for  an  admiral,  in  his  cabins ;  and  the 
fellows  are  berthed  aft,  far  beyond  the  foremast.  Wilt  step 
to  the  hatch,  and  look  below  ?  " 

The  captain  and  his  companions  did  as  desired,  and,  to  the 
amazement  of  the  former,  he  perceived  that,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  a  sort  of  room  fitted  with  large  and  water-tight  lockers, 
which  were  placed  in  full  view,  all  the  rest  of  the  brigantine 
was  occupied  by  the  accommodations  of  her  officers  and 
crew. 

"  The  world  gives  us  the  reputation  of  free-traders,"  con 
tinued  Tiller,  smiling  maliciously;  "but  if  the  Admiralty 
Court  were  here,  big  wigs  and  high  staffs,  judge  and  jury,  it 
would  be  at  a  loss  to  bring  us  to  conviction.  There  is  iron 
to  keep  the  lady  on  her  feet,  and  water,  with  some  garnish  of 
Jamaica,  and  the  wines  of  old  Spain  and  the  islands,  to  cheei 
the  hearts  and  cool  the  mouths  of  my  fellows,  beneath  tha? 


136  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

deck  ;  and  more  than  that,  there  is  not.  We  have  stores  for 
the  table  and  the  breeze,  beyond  yon  bulkhead  ;  and  here  are 
lockers  beneath  you,  that  are — empty  !  See,  one  is  open  ;  it 
is  neat  as  any  drawer  in  a  lady's. bureau.  This  is  no  place  for 
your  Dutchman's  strong  waters,  or  the  coarse  skins  of  your 
tabacconist.  Odd's  my  life  !  He  who  would  go  on  the  scent 
of  the  Water-Witch's  lading,  must  follow  your  beauty  in  her 
satins,  or  your  parson  in  his  band  and  gown.  There  would  be 
much  lamentation  in  the  Church,  and  many  a  heavy-hearted 
bishop,  were  it  known  that  the  good  craft  had  come  to  harm  !  " 

"  There  must  be  an  end  to  this  audacious  trifling  with 
the  law,"  said  Ludlow;  "and  the  time  may  be  nearer  than 
you  suppose." 

"  I  look  at  the  pages  of  the  lady's  book,  in  the  pride  of  each 
morning ;  for  we  have  it  aboard  here,  that  when  she  intends  to 
serve  us  foul,  she  will  at  least  be  honest  enough  to  give  a  warn 
ing.  The  mottoes  often  change,  but  her  words  are  ever  true. 
'Tis  hard  to  overtake  the  driving  mist,  Captain  Ludlow,  and 
he  must  hold  good  way  with  the  wind  itself,  who  wishes  to 
stay  long  in  our  company." 

"  Many  a  boastful  sailor  has  been  caught.  The  breeze  that 
is  good  for  the  light  of  draught,  and  the  breeze  that  is  good  for 
the  deep  keel,  are  different.  You  may  live  to  learn  what  a 
stout  spar,  a  wide  arm,  and  a  steady  hull,  can  do." 

"  The  lady  of  the  wild  eye  and  wicked  smile  protect  me  ! 
I  have  seen  the  witch  buried  fathoms  deep  in  brine,  and  the 
glittering  water  falling  from  her  tresses  like  golden  stars ;  but 
never  have  I  read  an  untruth  in  her  pages.  There  is  good  in 
telligence  between  her  and  some  on  board ;  and,  trust  me,  she 
knows  the  paths  of  the  ocean  too  well  ever  to  steer  a  wrong 
course.  But  we  prate  like  gossiping  river-men. — Wilt  see  the 
Skimmer  of  the  Seas?" 

"  Such  is  the  object  of  our  visit,"  returned  Ludlow,  whose 
heart  beat  violently  at  the  name  of  the  redoubtable  rover.  "  If 
you  are  not  he,  bring  us  where  he  is." 

"  Speak  lower ;  if  the  lady  under  the  bowsprit  hear  such 
treason  against  her  favorite,  I'll  not  answer  for  her  good-will. 
If  I  am  not  he  !  "  added  the  hero  of  the  India  shawl,  laughing 
freely.  "  Well,  an  ocean  is  bigger  than  a  sea,  and  a  bay  is 
not  a  gulf.  You  shall  have  an  opportunity  of  judging  between 
us,  noble  captain,  and  then  I  leave  opinions  to  each  man's  wis 
dom.  Follow." 

He  quitted  the  hatchway,  and  led  his  companions  toward 
the  accommodations  in  the  stern  of  the  vessel. 


THE   WATER-WITCH. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

••God  save  you,  sir! 
And  you,  sir  ;  you  are  welcome. 
Travel  you,  sir,  or  are  you  at  the  furthest  ?  n 

TAMING  OF  THE  SHREW. 

IF  the  exterior  of  the  brigantine  was  so  graceful  in  form  and 
so  singular  in  arrangement,  the  interior  was  still  more  worthy 
of  observation.  There  were  two  small  cabins  beneath  the  main- 
deck,  one  on  each  side  of,  and  immediately  adjoining,  the 
limited  space  that  was  destined  to  receive  her  light  but  valua 
ble  cargoes.  It  was  into  one  of  these  that  Tiller  had  descended 
like  a  man  who  freely  entered  into  his  own  apartment ;  but 
partly  above,  and  nearer  to  the  stern,  was  a  suite  of  little  rooms 
that  were  fitted  and  finished  in  a  style  altogether  different. 
The  equipments  were  those  of  a  yacht,  rather  than  those  which 
might  be  supposed  suited  to  the  pleasures  of  even  the  most  suc 
cessful  dealer  in  contraband. 

The  principal  deck  had  been  sunk  several  feet,  commencing 
at  the  aftermost  bulkhead  of  the  cabins  of  the  subordinate  offi 
cers,  in  a  manner  to  give  the  necessary  height,  without  inter 
fering  with  the  line  of  the  brigantine' s  shear.  The  arrange 
ment  was  consequently  not  to  be  seen  by  an  observer  who  was 
not  admitted  into  the  vessel  itself.  A  descent  of  a  step  or  two, 
however,  brought  the  visitors  to  the  level  of  the  cfebin-floor, 
and  into  an  anteroom  that  was  evidently  fitted  for  the  conven 
ience  of  the  domestic.  A  small  silver  hand-bell  lay  on  a 
table,  and  Tiller  rang  it  lightly,  like  one  whose  ordinary  man 
ner  was  restrained  by  respect.  It  was  answered  by  the  ap 
pearance  of  a  boy,  whose  years  could  not  exceed  ten,  and 
whose  attire  was  so  whimsical  as  to  merit  description. 

The  material  of  the  dress  of  this  young  servitor  of  Neptune, 
was  a  light  rose-colored  silk,  cut  in  a  fashion  to  resemble  the 
habits  formerly  worn  by  pages  of  the  great.  His  body  was 
belted  by  a  band  of  gold}  a  collar  of  fine  thread  lace  floated  on 
his  neck  and  shoulders,  and  even  his  feet  were  clad  in  a  sort 
of  buskins,  that  were  ornamented  with  fringes  of  real  lace  and 
tassels  of  bullion.  The  form  and  features  of  the  child  were 


138  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

delicate,  and  his  air  as  unlike  as  possible  to  the  coarse  and 
brusque  manner  of  a  vulgar  ship-boy. 

"Waste  and  prodigality?"  muttered  the  alderman,  when 
this  extraordinary  little  usher  presented  himself,  in  answer  to 
the  summons  of  Tiller.  "  This  is  the  very  wantonness  of 
cheap  goods  and  an  unfettered  commerce !  There  is  enough 
of  Mechlin,  patroon,  on  the  shoulders  of  that  urchin,  to  deck 
the  stomacher  of  the  queen.  Tore  George,  goods  were  cheap 
in  the  market,  When  the  young  scoundrel  had  his  livery  !  " 

The  surprise  was  not  confined,  however,  to  the  observant 
and  frugal  burgher.  Ludlow  and  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhcok 
manifested  equal  amazement,  though  their  wonder  was  exhib 
ited  in  a  less  characteristic  manner.  The  former  turned  short 
to  demand  the  meaning  of  this  masquerade,  when  he  perceived 
that  the  hero  of  the  India  shawl  had  disappeared.  They  were 
then  alone  with  the  fantastic  page,  and  in  became  necessary  to» 
trust  to  his  intelligence  for  directions  how  to  proceed. 

"  Who  art  thou,  child  ? — and  who  has  sent  thee  hither?  " 
demanded  Ludlow.  The  boy  raised  a  cap  of  the  same  rose- 
colored  silk,  and  pointed  to  an  image  of  a  female,  with  a 
swarthy  face  and  a  malign  smile,  painted,  with  exceeding  art, 
on  its  front. 

"  I  serve  the  sea-green  lady,  with  the  others  of  the  brigan- 
tine." 

"And  who  is  this  lady  of  the  color  of  shallow  water,  and1 
whence  come  you,  in  particular?  " 

"This  is  her  likeness — if  you  would  speak  with  her,  she 
stands  on  the  cutwater,  and  rarely  refuses  an  answer." 

"  'Tis  odd  that  a  form  of  woqd  should  have  the  gift  of 
speech  !  " 

"  Dost  think  her,  then,  of  wood  ?  "  returned  the  child,  look 
ing  timidly,  and  yet  curiously,  up  into  the  face  of  Ludlow. 
' '  Others  have  said  the  same ;  but  those  who  know  best,  deny 
it.  She  does  not  answer  with  a  tongue,  but  the  book  has  al 
ways  something  to  say." 

"  Here  is  a  grievous  deception  practised  on  the  superstition 
of  this  boy  ;  I  have  read  the  book,  and  can  make  but  little  of 
its  meaning." 

"  Then  read  again.  'Tis  by  many  reaches  that  the  leeward 
vessel  gains  upon  the  wind.  My  master  has  bid  me  bring  you 
in—" 

"  Hold — thou  hast  both  master  and  mistress?  You  have 
bold  us  the  latter,  but  we  would  know  something  of  the  former 
Who  is  thy  master?" 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  139 

The  boy  smiled  and  looked  aside,  as  if  he  hesitated  to 
answer. 

"Nay,  refuse  not  to  reply.  I  come  with  the  authority  of  the 
queen." 

"  He  tells  us  that  the  seagreen  lady  is  our  queen,  and  that 
we  have  no  other." 

"  Rashness  and  rebellion  !  "  muttered  Myndert ;  "  but  this 
foolhardiness  will  one  day  bring  as  pretty  a  brigantine  as  ever 
sailed  in  the  narrow  seas  to  condemnation  ;  and  then  will  there 
be  rumors  abroad,  and  characters  cracked,  till  every  lover  of 
gossip  in  the  Americas  shall  be  tired  of  defamation." 

"  It  is  a  bold  subject  that  dares  say  this  !  "  rejoined  Lud!ow, 
who  heeded  not  the  by-play  of  the  alderman  ;  "  your  master 
has  a  name?  " 

"  We  never  hear  it.  When  Neptune  boards  us,  under  the 
tropics,  he  always  hails  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,  ^hd  then 
they  answer.  The  old  god  knows  us  well,  for  we  pass  his  !ati- 
tude  oftener  than  other  ships,  they  say." 

"  You  are  then  a  cruiser  of  some  service  in  the  brigantine — 
no  doubt  you  have  trod  many  distant  shores,  belonging  to  so 
swift  a  craft." 

"  I ! — I  never  was  on  the  land !  M  returned  the  boy,  thought 
fully.  "  It  must  be  droll  to  be  there ;  they  say  one  can  hardly 
walk,  it  is  so  steady  ?  I  put  a  question  to  the  sea-green  lady 
before  we  came  to  the  narrow  inlet,  to  know  when  I  was  to  go 
ashore." 

"And  she  answered?" 

"  It  was  some  time  first.  Two  watches  were  past  before  a 
word  was  to  be  seen  ;  at  last  I  got  the  lines.  I  believe  she 
mocked  me,  though  I  have  never  dared  show  it  to  my  master, 
that  he  might  say." 

"Hast  the  words  here? — perhaps  we  might  assist  thee,  as 
there  are  some  among  us  who  know  most  of  the  sea-paths." 

The  boy  looked  timidly  and  suspiciously  round;  then, 
thursting  a  hand  huriedly  into  a  pocket,  he  drew  forth  two  bits 
of  paper,  each  of  which  contained  a  scrawl,  and  both  of  which 
had  evidently  been  much  thumbed  and  studied. 

"  Here,"  he  said,  in  a  voice  that  was  suppressed  nearly  to 
a  whisper.  "  This  was  on  the  first  page.  I  was  so  frightened, 
lest  the  lady  should  be  angry,  that  I  did  not  look  again  till  the 
next  watch  ;  and  then,"  turning  the  leaf,  "  I  found  this." 

Ludlow  took  the  bit  of  paper  first  offered,  and  read,  written 
in  a  child's  hand,  the  following  extract: 


140  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

"  I  pray  thee 

Remember,  I  have  done  thee  worthy  service  ; 
Told  thee  no  lies,  made  no  mistakings,  served 
Without  01  grudge  or  grumblings.'* 


"I  thought  that-  'twas  in  mockery,"  continued  the  boy, 
when  he  saw  by  the  eye  of  the  young  captain  that  he  had  read 
the  quotation;  "  for  'twas  very  like,  though  more  prettily 
worded,  than  that  which  I  had  said  myself!  " 

"  And  what  was  the  second  answer  ?  " 

"  This  was  found  in  the  first  morning-watch,"  the  child  re* 
turned,  reading  the  second  extract  himself: 

«  Thou  think'st 

It  much  to  tread  the  ooze  of  the  salt  deep, 
And  run  upon  the  sharp  wind  of  the  north  f  * 

"I  never  dared  to  ask  again.  But  what  matters  that? 
They  say  the  ground  is  rough  and  difficult  to  walk  on ;  that 
earthquakes  shake  it,  and  make  holes  to  swallow  cities ;  that 
men  slay  each  other  on  the  highways  for  money,  and  that  the 
houses  I  see  on  the  hills  must  always  remain  in  the  same*  spot. 
It  must  be  very  melancholy  to  live  always  in  the  same  spot ; 
but  then  it  must  be  odd  never  to  feel  a  motion  !  " 

"  Except  the  occasional  rocking  of  an  earthquake.  Thou  art 
better  afloat,  child — but  thy  master,  the  Skimmer  of  the 
Seas—" 

"  — Hist  !  "  whispered  the  boy,  raising  a  finger  for  silence. 
"  He  has  come  up  into  the  great  cabin.  In  a  moment,  we  shall 
have  his  signal  to  enter/' 

A  few  light  torches  on  the  strings  of  a  guitar  followed,  and 
then  a  symphony  was  rapidly  and  beautifully  executed,  by  one 
in  the  adjoining  apartment. 

"  Alida,  herself,  is  not  more  nimble-fingered,"  whispered 
the  alderman  ;  "  and  I  never  heard  the  girl  touch  the  Dutch 
lute,  that  cost  a  hundred  Holland  guilders,  with  a  livelier 
movement !  " 

Ludlow  signed  for  silence.  A  fine,  manly  voice,  of  great 
richness  and  depth,  was  soon  heard,  singing  to  an  accompani 
ment  on  the  same  instrument.  The  air  was  grave,  and  alto 
gether  unusual  for  the  social  character  of  one  who  dwelt  upon 
the  ocean,  being  chiefly  in  recitation.  The  "Words,  as  near  a? 
might  be  distinguished,  ran  as  follows  : 


THE  WATER-WITCH.  141 

"  My  brigantine ! 

lost  in  thy  mould,  and  beauteous  in  thy  form, 
Gentle  in  roll,  and  buoyant  on  the  surge, 
Light  as  the  sea-fowl,  rocking  in  the  storm, 
In  breeze  and  gale,  thy  onward  course  we  urge  ; 

My  water-queen ! 

"  Lady  of  mine ! 

More  light  and  swift  than  thou,  none  thread  the  sea» 
With  surer  keel,  or  steadier  on  its  path : 
We  brave  each  waste  of  ocean-mystery, 
And  laugh  to  hear  the  howling  tempest's  wrath! 

For  we  are  thine  ! 

"  My  brigantine ! 

Trust  to  the  mystic  power  that  points  thy  way, 
Trust  to  the  eye  that  pierces  from  afar, 
Trust  the  red  meteors  that  around  thee  play, 
And  fearless  trust  the  sea-green  lady's  star; 

Thou  dark  divine  I  " 

"  He  often  sings  thus,"  whispered  the  boy,  when  the  song 
was  ended;  "they  say,  the  sea-green  lady  loves  music  that 
tells  of  the  ocean,  and  of  her  power. — Hark  !  he  has  bid  me 
enter." 

"  He  did  but  touch  the  strings  of  the  guitar  again,  boy." 

"  -Tis  his  signal,  when  the  weather  is  fair.  When  we  have 
the  whistlings  of  the  wind  and  the  roar  of  the  water,  then  he 
has  a  louder  call." 

Ludlow  would  have  gladly  listened  longer;  but  the  boy 
opened  a  door,  and,  pointing  the  way  to  those  he  conducted, 
he  silently  vanished  himself,  behind  a  curtain. 

The  visitors,  more  particularly  the  young  commander  of  the 
Coquette,  found  new  subjects  of  admiration  and  wonder,  on 
entering  the  main  cabin  of  the  brigantine.  The  apartment, 
considering  the  size  of  the  vessel,  was  spacious  and  high.  It 
Deceived  light  from  a  couple  of  windows  in  the  stern,  and  it 
was  evident  that  two  smaller  rooms,  one  on  each  of  the  quar 
ters,  shared  with  it  in  this  advantage.  The  space  between 
these  stale-rooms,  as  they  are  called  in  nautical  language, 
necessarily  formed  a  deep  alcove,  which  might  be  separated 
from  the  outer  portion  of  the  cabin  by  a  curtain  of  crimson 
damask,  that  now  hung  in  festoons  from  a  beam  fashioned  into 
a  gilded  cornice.  A  luxuriously-looking  pile  of  cushions, 
covered  with  red  morocco,  lay  along  the  transom,  in  the 
manner  of  an  Eastern  divan;  and  against  the  bulkhead  of 
each  state-room  stood  an  agrippina  of  mahogany,  that  was 


142  THE    WATER-WITCH 

iined  with  the  same  material.  Neat  and  tasteful  ^ases  foi 
books  were  suspended  here  and  there  ;  and  the  guitar  which 
had  so  lately  been  used,  lay  on  a  small  table  of  some  precious 
wood,  that  occupied  the  centFe  of  the  alcove.  There  were 
also  other  implements,  like  those  which  occupy  the  leisure  of  a 
cultivated  but  perhaps  an  effeminate  rather  than  a  vigorous 
mind,  scattered  around,  some  evidently  long  neglected,  and 
others  appearing  to  have  been  more  recently  in  favor. 

The  outer  portion  of  the  cabin  was  furnished  in  a  similar 
style,  though  it  contained  many  more  of  the  articles  that  ordi 
narily  belong  to  domestic  economy.  It  had  its  agrippina,  its 
piles  of  cushions,  its  chairs  of  beautiful  wood,  its  cases  for 
books,  and  its  neglected  instruments,  intermixed  with  fixtures 
of  more  solid  and  permanent  appearance,  which  were  arranged 
to  meet  the  violent  motion  that  was  often  unavoidable  in  so 
small  a  bark.  There  was  a  slight  hanging  of  crimson  damask 
around  the  whole  apartment;  and,  here  and  there,  a  small 
mirror  was  let  into  the  bulkheads  and  ceilings.  All  the  other 
parts  were  of  a  rich  mahogany,  relieved  by  panels  of  rosewood, 
that  gave  an  appearance  of  exquisite  finish  to  the  cabin.  The 
floor  was  covered  with  a  mat  of  the  finest  texture,  and  of  a 
fragrance  that  announced  both  its  freshness,  and  the  fact  that 
the  grass  had  been  the  growth  of  a  warm  and  luxuriant  climate. 
The  place,  as  was  indeed  the  whole  vessel,  so  far  as  the  keen  eye 
of  Ludlow  could  detect,  was  entirely  destitute  of  arms,  not 
even  a  pistol  or  a  swoid  being  suspended  in  those  places  where 
weapons  of  that  description  are  usually  seen  in  all  vessels 
employed  either  in  war  or  in  a  trade  that  might  oblige  those 
who  sail  them  to  deal  in  violence. 

In  the  centre  of  the  alcove  stood  the  youthful-looking  and 
extraordinary  person  who,  in  so  unceremonious  a  manner,  had 
visited  la  Cour  des  Fees  the  preceding  night.  His  dress  was 
much  the  same,  in. fashion  and  material,  as  when  last  seen  ; 
still,  it  had  been  changed  ;  for  on  the  breast  of  the  silken  frock 
wa?  painted  an  image  of  the  sea-green  lady,  done  with  exqui 
site  skill,  and  in  a  manner  to  preserve  the  whole  of  the  wild 
and  unearthly  character  of  the  expression.  The  wearer  of 
this  singular  ornament  leaned  lightly  against  the  little  table, 
and,  as  he  bowed  with  entire  self-possession  to  his  guests,  his 
face  was  lighted  with  a  smile  that  seemed  to  betray  melancholy 
no  less  than  courtesy.  At  the  same  time  he  raised  his  cap, 
and  stood  in  the  rich  jet-black  locks  with  which  Nature  had  so 
exuberantly  shaded  his  forehead. 

The  manner  of  the  visitors  was  less  easy.     The  deep  anxietj 


THE    WATER-WITCH-  143 

with  which  both  Ludlow  and  the  patroon  had  undertaken  to 
board  the  notorious  smuggler,  had  given  place  to  an  amaze 
ment  and  a  curiosity  that  caused  them  nearly  to  forget  their 
errand  ;  while  Alderman  Van  Beverout  appeared  shy  and  sus 
picious,  manifestly  thinking  less  of  his  niece  than  of  the  con 
sequences  of  so  remarkable  an  interview.  They  all  returned 
the  salutation  of  their  host,  though  each  waited  for  him  to 
•peak. 

* '  They  tell  me  I  have  the  pleasure  to  receive  a  commander 
of  Queen  Anne's  service,  the  wealthy  and  honorable  Patroon 
of  Kinderhook,  and  a  most  worthy  and  respectable  member  of 
the  city  corporation,  known  as  Alderman  Van  Beverout," 
commenced  the  individual  who  did  the  honors  of  the  vessel  on 
this  occasion.  "It  is  not  often  that  my  poor  brigantine  is 
thus  favored,  and,  in  the  name  of  my  mistress,  I  would  ex 
press  our  thanks." 

As  he  ceased  speaking,  he  bowed  again  with  ceremonious 
gravity,  as  if  all  were  equally  strangers  to  him ;  though  the 
young  man  saw  plainly  that  a  smothered  smile  played  about  a 
mouth  that  even  they  could  not  refuse  the  praise  of  being  of 
rare  and  extraordinary  attraction. 

*'  As  we  have  but  one  mistress,"  said  Ludlow,  "it  is  our 
common  duty  to  wish  to  do  her  pleasure." 

"  I  understand  you,  sir.  It  is  scarce  necessary  to  say,  how 
ever,  that  the  wife  of  George  of  Denmark  has  little  authority 
here.  Forbear,  I  pray  you,"  he  added  quickly,  observing  that 
Ludlow  was  about  to  answer.  "  These  interviews  with  the 
servants  of  that  lady  are  not  unfrequent ;  and  as  I  know  other 
matters  have  sent  you  hither,  we  will  imagine  all  said  that  a 
vigilant  officer  and  a  most  loyal  subject  could  utter  to  an  out 
law  and  a  trifler  with  the  regulations  of  the  customs.  That 
controversy  must  be  settled  between  us  under  our  canvas,  and 
by  virtue  of  our  speed  or  other  professional  qualities,  at  proper 
time  and  in  a  proper  place.  We  will  now  touch  on  different 
matters." 

"  I  think  the  gentleman  is  right,  patroon.  When  matters 
are  ripe  for  the  exchequer  there  is  no  use  in  worrying  the 
lungs  with  summing  up  the  testimony,  like  a  fee'd  advocate. 
Twelve  discreet  men,  who  have  bowels  of  compassion  for  the 
vicissitudes  of  trade,  and  who  know  how  hard  it  is  to  earn, 
and  how  easy  it  is  to  spend,  will  deal  with  the  subject  better 
than  all  the  idle  talkers  in  the  provinces." 

"  When  confronted  to  the  twelve  disinterested  Daniels,  1 
shall  be  fain  to  submit  to  their  judgment,"  rejoined  the  other- 


144  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

still  suffering  the  wilful  smile  to  linger  around  his  lips.  "  You, 
sir,  I  think,  are  called  Mr.  Myndert  Van  Beverout.  To  what 
fall  in  peltry,  or  what  rise  in  markets,  do  I  owe  the  honor  of 
this  visit?" 

"It  is  said  that  some  from  this  vessel  were  so  bold  as  to 
)and  on  my  grounds,  during  the  past  night,  without  the  knowl 
edge  and  consent  of  their  owner — you  will  observe  the  purport 
of  our  discourse,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  for  it  may  yet  come  before 
the  authorities — as  I  said,  sir,  without  their  owner's  knowledge, 
and  that  there  were  dealings  in  articles  that  are  contraband  of 
law,  unless  they  enter  the  provinces  purified  and  embellished 
by  the  air  of  the  queen's  European  dominions — God  bless  her 
majesty  !  " 

"  Amen. — That  which  quitteth  the  Water-Witch  commonly 
comes  purified  by  the  air  of  many  different  regions.  We  are 
no  laggards  in  movement,  here ;  and  the  winds  of  Europe 
scarcely  cease  to  blow  upon  our  sails,  before  we  scent  the  gales 
of  America.  But  this  is  rather  exchequer  matter,  to  be  dis 
cussed  before  the  twelve  merciful  burghers,  than  entertainment 
for  such  a  visit." 

' '  I  open  with  the  facts,  that  there  may  be  no  errors.  But 
in  addition  to  so  foul  an  imputation  on  the  credit  of  a  mer 
chant,  there  has  a  great  calamity  befallen  me  and  my  house 
hold,  during  the  past  night.  The  daughter  and  heiress  of  old 
Etienne  de  Barberie  has  left  her  abode,  and  we  have  reason  to 
think  that  she  has  been  deluded  so  far  as  to  come  hither. 
Faith  and  correspondence  !  Master  Seadrift;  but  I  think  this 
is  exceeding  the  compass  of  even  a  trader  in  contraband  !  I 
can  make  allowances  for  some  errors  in  an  account ;  but 
women  can  be  exported  and  imported  without  duty,  and  when 
and  where  one  pleases,  and  therefore  the  less  necessity  for 
running  them  out  of  their  old  uncle's  habitation  in  so  secret  a 
ner." 

An  undeniable  position,  and  a  feeling  conclusion  !  I 
admit  the  demand  to  be  made  in  all  form,  and  I  suppose  these 
two  gentlemen  are  to  be  considered  as  witnesses  of  its  legality." 

"  We  have  come  to  aid  a  wronged  and  distressed  relative 
and  guardian,  in  searching  for  his  misguided  ward,"  Ludlow 
answered. 

The  free-trader  turned  his  eyes  on  the  patroon,  who  signi 
fied  his  assent  by  a  silent  bow. 

'*  'Tis  well,  gentlemen;  I  also  admit  the  testimony.  But, 
though  in  common  believed  so  worthy  a  subject  for  justice,  I 
toave  hitherto  had  but  little  direct  communication  with  the 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  S4f 

Wind  deity.     Do  the  authorities  usually  give  credit  to  these 

charges  without  some  evidence  of  their  truth  ?  " 

"'Is  it  denied?" 

"  You  are  still  in  possession  of  your  senses,  Captain  LudloWj, 
and  may  freely  use  them.  But  this  is  an  artifice  to  divert  pur 
suit.  There  are  other  vessels  besides  the  brigantine,  and  a 
capricious  fair  may  have  sought  a  protector  even  under  a 
pennant  of  Queen  Anne  !  " 

"  This  is  a  trulh  that  has  been  but  too  obvious  to  my  mind,  Mr, 
Van  Beverout,"  observed  the  sententious  patroon.  "  It  would 
have  been  well  to  have  ascertained  whether  she  we  seek  has 
not  taken  some  less  exceptionable  course  than  this,  before  we 
hastily  believe  that  your  niece  would  so  easily  become  the  wife 
of  a  stranger." 

"Has  Mr.  Van  Staats  any  hidden  meaning  in  his  words, 
that  he  speaks  ambiguously?"  demanded  Ludlow. 

"  A  man  conscious  of  his  good  intentions,  has  little  occasion 
to  speak  equivocally.  I  believe,  with  this  reputed  smuggler, 
that  la  belle  Barberie  would  be  more  likely  to  fly  with  one  she 
has  long  known,  and  whom  I  fear  she  has  but  too  well  es 
teemed,  than  with  an  utter  stranger,  over  whose  life  there  is 
cast  a  shade  of  so  dark  mystery." 

"  If  the  impression  that  the  lady  could  yield  her  esteem 
with  too  little  discretion  be  any  excuse  for  suspicions,  then 
may  I  advise  a  search  in  the  manor  of  Kinderhook  !  " 

"  Consent  and  joy  !  The  girl  need  not  have  stolen  to 
church  to  become  the  bride  of  Oloff  Van  Staats  !  "  interrupted 
the  alderman.  "  She  should  have  had  my  benediction  on  the 
match,  and  a  fat  gift  to  give  it  unction." 

"  These  suspicions  are  but  natural,  between  men  bent  on  the 
same  object,"  resumed  the  free-trader.  "  The  officer  of  the 
q^ieen  thinks  a  glance  of  the  eye,  from  a  wilful  fair,  means 
admiration  of  broad  lands  and  rich  meadows ;  and  the  lord  of 
the  manor  distrusts  the  romance  of  warlike  service,  and  the 
power  of  an  imagination  which  roams  the  sea.  Still  may  I 
ask,  what  is  there  here,  to  tempt  a  proud  and  courted  beauty 
to  forget  station,  sex,  and  friends?" 

"  Caprice  and  vanity !  There  is  no  answering  for  a 
woman's  mind !  Here  we  bring  articles,  at  great  risk  and 
heavy  charges,  from  the  farther  Indies  to  please  their  fancies, 
and  they  change  their  modes  easier  than  the  beaver  casts  his 
coat.  Their  conceits  sadly  unsettle  trade,  and  I  know  not  why 
they  may  not  cause  a  wilful  girl  to  do  any  other  act  of  folly/' 
IO 


146  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

i 

*  •'  This  reasoning  seems  conclusive  with  the  uncle.  Do  the 
suitors  assent  to  its  justice?  " 

The  Patroon  of  Kinderhook  had  stood  gazing,  long  and 
earnestly,  at  the  countenance  of  the  extraordinary  being  who 
asked  this  question.  A  movement,  which  bespoke  equally  his 
conviction  and  his  regret,  escaped  him,  but  he  continued  si 
lent.  Not  so  Ludlow.  Of  a  more  ardent  temperament, 
though  equally  sensible  of  the  temptation  which  had  caused 
Alida  to  err,  and  as  keenly  alive  to  all  the  consequences 
to  -herself  as  well  as  to  others,  there  was  something 
of  professional  rivalry  and  of  an  official  right  to  investi 
gate,  which  still  mingled  with  his  feelings.  He  had  found 
time  to  examine  more  closely  the  articles  that  the  cabin  con 
tained,  and  when  their  singular  host  put  his  question,  he 
pointed,  with  an  ironical  but  mournful  smile,  to  a  footstool 
richly  wrought  in  flowers  of  tints  and  shades  so  just  as  to  seem 
natural. 

1  'This  is  no  work  of  a  sail-maker's  needle!"  said  the 
captain  of  the  Coquette.  "  Other  beauties  have  been  induced 
to  pass  an  idle  hour  in  your  gay  residence,  hardy  mariner  ; 
but,  sooner  or  later,  judgment  will  overtake  the  light-heeled 
craft." 

"  On  the  wind,  or  off,  she  must  some  day  lag,  as  we  seamen 
have  it  I  Captain  Ludlow,  I  excuse  some  harshness  of  con 
struction,  that  your  language  might  imply ;  for  it  becomes  a 
commissioned  servant  of  the  crown  to  use  freedom  with  one 
who,  like  the  lawless  companion  of  the  princely  Hal,  is  but 
too  apt  to  propose  to  '  rob  me  the  king's  exchequer.'  But,  sir, 
this  brigantine  and  her  character  are  little  known  to  you.  We 
have  no  need  of  truant  damsels,  to  let  us  into  the  mystery  of 
the  sex's  taste ;  for  female  spirit  guides  all  our  humors,  and 
imparts  something  of  her  delicacy  to  all  our  acts,  even  though 
it  be  the  fashion  among  burghers  to  call  them  lawless.  See," 
throwing  a  curtain  carelessly  aside,  and  exhibiting,  behind  it, 
various  articles  of  womanly  employment,  "  here  are  the  off 
spring  of  both  pencil  and  needle.  The  sorceress,"  touching 
the  image  on  his  breast,  "  will  not  be  entertained,  without 
some  deference  to  her  sex." 

"This  affair  must  be  arranged,  I  see,  by  a  compromise," 
^observed  the  alderman. — "  By  your  leave,  gentlemen,  I  will 
make  proposals  in  private  to  this  bold  trader,  who  perhaps 
will  listen  to  the  offers  I  have  to  propose." 

•' '  Ah  !  This  savors  more  of  the  spirit  of  trade  than  of  that 
-•*•  the  sea-goddess  I  serve,"  cried  the  other,  causing  his  fingers 


WATER-WITCH.  «4> 

to  run  lightly  over  the  strings  of  the  guitar.  "  Compromise, 
and  offers  are  sounds  that  become  a  burgher's  lips. — My 
tricksy  spirit,  commit  these  gentlemen  to  the  care  of  bold 
Thomas  Tiller,  while  I  confer  with  the  merchant.  The 
character  of  Mr.  Van  Beverout,  Captain  Ludlow,  will  protect 
•as  both  from  the  suspicion  of  any  designs  on  the  revenue !  lf 

Laughing  at  his  own  allusion,  the  free-trader  signed  to  the 
boy,  who  had  appeared  from  behind  a  curtain,  to  show  the 
disappointed  suitors  of  la  belle  Barberie  into  another  part  of 
the  vessel. 

"  Foul  tongues  and  calumnies  !  Master  Seadrift,  this  un 
lawful  manner  of  playing  round  business,  after  accounts  are  set 
tled  and  receipts  passed,  may  lead  to  other  loss  besides  that  of 
character.  The  commander  of  the  Coquette  is  not  more  than 
half  satisfied  of  my  ignorance  of  your  misdoings  in  behalf  nf 
the  customs,  already ;  and  these  jokes  are  like  so  many 
punches  into  a  smouldering  fire  on  a  dark  night.  They  onljr 
give  light,  and  cause  people  to  see  the  clearer — though, 
Heaven  knows,  no  man  has  less  reason  to  dread  an  inquiry  into- 
his  affairs  than  myself !  I  challenge  the  best  accountant  im 
the  colonies  to  detect  a  false  footing,  or  a  doubtful  entry,  in; 
any  book  I  have,  from  the  memorandum  to  the  ledger." 

"The  Proverbs  are  not  more  sententious,  nor  the  Psalms- 
half  as  poetical,  as  your  library.  But  why  this  secret  par 
ley  ? — The  brigantine  has  a  swept  hold." 

'  *  Swept  ?  Brooms  and  Van  Tromp  !  Thou  hast  swept  the 
pavilion  of  my  niece  of  its  mistress,  no  less  than  my  purse  of 
its  Johannes.  This  is  carrying  a  little  innocent  barter  into  a 
most  forbidden  commerce,  and  I  hope  the  joke  is  to  end  be 
fore  the  affair  gets  to  be  sweetening  to  the  tea  of  the  province- 
gossips.  Such  a  tale  would  affect  the  autumn  importation  o£ 
sugars  !  " 

"  This  is  more  vivid  than  clear.  You  have  my  laces  and 
velvets ;  my  brocades  and  satins  are  already  in  the  hands  of 
the  Manhattan  dames ;  and  your  furs  and  Johannes  are  safe 
where  no  boarding-officer  from  the  Coquette — " 

"  Well,  there  is  no  need  of  speaking-trumpets  to  tell  a  man 
what  he  knows  already,  to  his  cost !  I  should  expect  no  less 
than  bankruptcy  from  two  or  three  such  bargains,  and  you 
wish  to  add  loss  of  character  to  loss  of  gold.  Bulkheads  have 
ears  in  a  ship,  as  well  as  walls  in  houses.  I  wish  no  more  said 
of  the  trifling  traffic  that  has  been  between  us.  If  I  lose  a 
thousand  florins  by  the  operation,  I  shall  know  how  to  be  re 
signed.  Patience  and  afflictions  !  Have  I  not  buried  as  full- 


148  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

fed  and  promising  a  gelding  this  morning,  as  ever  paced  a 
pavement,  and  has  any  man  heard  a  complaint  from  my  lips? 
I  know  how  to  meet  losses,  I  hope  \  and  so  no  more  of  an  un 
lucky  purchase." 

"  Truly,  if  it  be  not  for  trade,  there  is  little  in  common  be 
tween  the  mariners  of  the  brigantine  and  Alderman  Van  Be- 
verout." 

"  The  greater  the  necessity  thou  shouldst  end  this  silly 
joke,  and  restore  his  niece.  I  am  not  sure  the  affair  can  be  a* 
all  settled  with  either  of  these  hot-headed  young  men,  though, 
I  should  even  offer  to  throw  in  a  few  thousands  more,  by  way 
of  make-weight.  When  female  reputation  gets  a  bad  name  in 
the  market,  'tis  harder  to  dispose  of  than  falling  stock  ;  and 
your  young  lords  of  manors  and  commanders  of  cruisers  have 
stomachs  like  usurers ;  no  percentage  will  satisfy  them ;  it 
must  be  all  or  nothing  !  There  was  no  such  foolery  in  the 
days  of  thy  worthy  father  !  The  honest  trafficker  brought  his 
cutter  into  port  with  as  innocent  a  look  as  a  mill-boat.  We 
had  our  discourses  on  the  qualities  of  his  wares,  when  here 
was  his  price  and  there  was  my  gold.  Odd  or  even  !  It  was 
all  a  chance  which  had  the  best  of  the  bargain.  I  was  a 
thriving  man  in  .those  days,  Master  Seadrift ;  but  thy  spirit 
seems  the  spirit  of  extortion  itself !  " 

There  was  momentarily  contempt  on  the  lip  of  the  hand 
some  smuggler,  but  it  disappeared  in  an  expression  of  evident 
and  painful  sadness. 

"  Thou  hast  softened  my  heart,  ere  now,  most  liberal 
burgher,"  he  answered,  "by  these  allusions  to  my  parent ; 
and  many  is  the  doubloon  that  I  have  paid  for  his  eulogies." 

"  I  speak  as  disinterestedly  as  a  parson  preaches  I  What  i& 
a  trifle  of  gold  between  friends?  Yes,  there  was  happiness  in 
trade  during  the  time  of  thy  predecessor.  He  had  a  comely 
and  a  deceptive  craft,  that  might  be  likened  to  an  untrimmed 
racer.  There  was  motion  in  it,  at  need,  and  yet  it  had  the 
air  of  a  leisurely  Amsterdammer.  I  have  known  an  ex 
chequer  cruiser  hail  him,  and  ask  the  news  of  the  famous  free 
trader,  with  as  little  suspicion  as  he  would  have  in  speaking 
the  lord  high-admiral.  There  were  no  fooleries  in  his  time  ; 
no  unseemly  hussies  stuck  under  his  bowsprit,  to  put  an 
honest  man  out  of  countenance ;  no  high-fliers  in  sail  and 
paint ;  no  singing  and  luting — but  all  was  rational  and  gain 
ful  barter.  Then,  he  was  a  man  to  ballast  his  boat  with  some 
thing  valuable.  I  have  known  him  throw  in  fifty  ankers  of 
gin,  without  a  farthing  for  freight,  when  a  bargain  has  been 


THE    WATER-WITCH  24$ 

Struck  for  the  finer  articles — ay,  and  finish  by  landing  them  in 
England,  for  a  small  premium,  when  the  gift  was  made  !  " 

"He  deserves  thy  praise,  grateful  alderman \  but  to  what 
conclusion  does  this  opening  tend  ?  " 

"  Well,  if  more  gold  must  pass  between  us,"  continued  the 
reluctant  Myndert,  "  we  shall  not  waste  time  in  counting  it ; 
though,  Heaven  knows,  Master  Seadrift,  thou  hast  already 
drained  me  dry.  Loss  have  fallen  heavy  on  me,  of  late,, 
There  is  a  gelding,  dead,  that  fifty  Holland  ducats  will  not  re 
place  on  the  boom-key  of  Rotterdam,  to  say  nothing  of  freight 
and  charges,  which  come  particularly  heavy— 

"  Speak  to  thy  offer!"  interrupted  the  other,  who  evi 
dently  wished  to  shorten  the  interview. 

"  Restore  the  girl,  and  take  five-and-twenty  thin  pieces." 

"Half-price  fora  Flemish  gelding!  La  belle  would  blush, 
with  honest  pride,  did  she  know  her  value  in  the  market !  " 

"Extortion  and  bowels  of  compassion  !  Let  it  be  a  hun 
dred,  and  no  further  words  between  us." 

"  Harkee,  Mr.  Van  Beverout;  that  I  sometimes  trespass  on 
the  queen's  earnings  is  not  to  be  denied,  and  least  of  all  to 
you ;  for  I  like  neither  this  manner  of  ruling  a  nation  by 
deputy,  nor  the  principle  which  says  that  one  bit  of  earth  is 
to  make  laws  for  another.  'Tisnot  my  humor,  sir,  to  wear  an 
English  cotton  when  my  taste  is  for  the  Florentine  ;  nor  to 
swallow  beer,  when  I  more  relish  the  delicate  wines  of  Gas- 
cony.  Beyond  this,  thou  knowest  I  do  not  trifle,  even  with 
fancied  rights ;  and,  had  I  fifty  of  thy  nieces,  sacks  of  ducats 
should  not  purchase  one  !  " 

The  alderman  started  in  a  manner  that  mighf  have  in 
duced  a  spectator  to  believe  he  was  listening  to  an  incompre 
hensible  proposition.  Still  his  companion  spoke  with  a 
warmth  that  gave  him  no  small  reason  to  believe  he  uttered 
no  more  than  he  felt,  and,  inexplicable  as  it  might  prove, 
that  he  valued  treasure  less  than  feeling. 

"  Obstinacy  and  extravagance  !  "  muttered  Myndert ;  "  what 
use  can  a  troublesome  girl  be  to  one  of  thy  habits  ?  If  thou 
hast  deluded—" 

"  I  have  deluded  none.  The  brigantine  is  not  an  Algerine, 
to  ask  and  ^ake  ransom." 

"  Then  let  it  submit  to  what  I  believe  it  is  yet  a  stranger.  If 
thou  hast  not  enticed  my  niece  away,  by,  Heaven  knows,  a 
most  vain  delusion  !  let  the  vessel  be  searched.  This  will 
make  the  minds  of  the  young  men  tranquil,  and  keep  the 


ISO  THE    WATERWITCH. 

treaty  open  between  us,  and  the  value  of  the  article  fixed  iff 
the  market." 

"Freely — but  mark  !  If  certain  bales  containing  worthless 
furs  of  martens  and  beavers,  with  other  articles  of  thy  colony 
trade,  should  discover  the  character  of  my  correspondents,  I 
stand  exonerated  of  all  breach  of  faith." 

"  There  is  prudence  in  that,  Yes,  there  must  be  no  imperti 
nent  eyes  peeping  into  bales  and  packages.  Well,  I  see,  Mas 
ter  Seadrift,  the  impossibility  of  immediately  coming  to  an  un 
derstanding  ;  and  therefore  I  will  quit  thy  vessel,  for  truly  a 
merchant  of  reputation  should  have  no  unnecessary  connection 
with  one  so  suspected. 

The  free-trader  smiled,  partly  in  scorn,  and  yet  much  in 
sadness,  and  passed  his  fingers  over  the  strings  of  the  guitar. 

"Show  this  worthy  burgher  to  his  friends,  Zephyr,"  he 
said ;  and,  bowing  to  the  alderman,  he  dismissed  him  in  a 
manner  that  betrayed  a  singular  compound  of  feeling.  One 
quick  to  discover  the  traces  of  human  passion,  might  have 
fancied  that  regret,  and  even  sorrow,  was  blended  with  the 
natural  or  assumed  recklessness  of  the  smuggler's  air  and 
language. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

"This  will  prove  a  brave  kingdom  to  me; 
Where  I  shall  have  my  music  for  nothing." 

TEMPEST, 

DURING  the  time  passed  in  the  secret  conference  of  the 
•cabin,  Ludlow  and  the  patroon  were  held  in  discourse  on  the 
quarter-deck  by  the  hero  of  the  India  shawl.  The  dialogue 
was  professional,  as  Van  Staats  maintained  his  ancient  reputa 
tion  for  taciturnity.  The  appearance  of  Myndert,  thoughtful, 
disappointed,  and  most  evidently  perplexed,  caused  the  ideas 
of  all  to  take  a  new  direction.  It  is  probable  that  the  burgher 
believed  he  had  not  yet  bid  enough  to  tempt  the  free-trader  to 
restore  his  niece ;  for  by  his  air  it  was  apparent  his  mind  was 
far  from  being  satisfied  that  she  was  not  in  the  vessel.  Still, 
when  questioned  by  his  companions  concerning  the  result  of 
his  interview  with  the  free-trader,  for  reasons  *best  understood 
by  himself,  he  was  fain  to  answer  evasively. 

"Of  one  thing  rest   satisfied,"  he  said;  "the  misconcep- 


THE    WATERWITCH.  I$I 

tio«  In  this  affair  will  yet  be  explained,  and  Alida  Barbirie  re 
turn  unfettered,  and  with  a  character  as  free  from  blemish  as 
the  credit  of  the  Van  Stoppers  of  Holland.  The  fanciful-look 
ing  person  in  the  cabin  denies  that  my  niece  is  here,  and  I  am 
inclined  to  think  the  balance  of  truth  is  on  his  side.  I  con 
fess,  if  one  could  just  look  into  the  cabins,  without  the  trouble 
of  rummaging  lockers  and  cargo,  the  statement  would  give 
more  satisfaction;  but — hem — gentlemen,  we  must  take  the 
assertion  on  credit,  for  want  of  more  sufficient  security." 

Lttdlow  looked  at  the  cloud  above  the  mouth  of  the  Raritan,, 
and  his  lip  curled  in  a  smile. 

"  Let  the  wind  hold  here,  at  east,*'  he  said,  "and  we  shall 
act  our  pleasure  with  both  lockers  and  cabins." 

"  Hist !  the  worthy  Master  Tiller  may  overhear  this  threat 
— after  all,  I  do  not  know  whether  prudence  does  not  tell  us  to 
let  the  brigantine  depart." 

"Mr.  Alderman  Van  Beverout,"  rejoined  the  captain, 
whose  cheek  had  reddened  to  a  glow,  "  my  duty  must  not  be 
gauged  by  your  affection  for  your  niece.  Though  content  that 
Alida  Barberie  should  quit  the  country,  like  an  article  of 
vulgar  commerce,  the  commander  of  this  vessel  must  get  a 
passport  of  her  majesty's  cruiser  ere  she  again  enter  the  high- 
sea." 

"  Wilt  say  as  much  to  the  sea-green  lady?"  asked  the  mar 
iner  of  the  shawl,  suddenly  appearing  at  his  elbow. 

The  question  was  so  unexpected  and  so  strange  that  it 
caused  an  involuntary  start ;  but,  recovering  his  recollection 
on  the  instant,  the  young  sailor  haughtily  replied  : 

"  Or  to  any  other  monster  thou  canst  conjure." 

"  We  will  take  you  at  the  word.  There  is  no  more  certain 
method  of  knowing  the  past  or  the  future,  the  quarter  of  the 
heavens  from  which  the  winds  are  to  come,  or  the  seasons  of 
the  hurricanes,  than  by  putting  a  question  to  our  mistress. 
She  who  knows  so  much  of  hidden  matters  may  tell  us  what 
you  wish  to  know.  We  will  have  her  called  by  the  usual  sum 
mons." 

Thus  saying,  the  mariner  of  the  shawl  gravely  quitted  his- 
quests,  and  descended  into  the  inferior  cabins  of  the  vessel, 
t  was  but  a  moment  before  there  arose  sounds  from  some  secret 
hough  not  distant  quarter  of  the  brigantine,  that  caused,  in 
>ome  measure,  both  surprise  and  pleasure  to  Ludlow  and  the 
patroon.  Their  companion  had  his  motives  for  being  insensi 
ble  to  either  of  these  emotions. 

After  a  short  and  rapid  symphony,  a  wind-instrument  took 


I $2  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

up  a  wild  strain,  while  a  human  voice  was  again  heard  chanting 
to  the  music  words  which  were  so  much  involved,  by  the  com 
position  of  the  air,  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  trace  more  than 
that  their  burden  was  a  sort  of  mysterious  incantation  of  some 
jocean  deity. 

"Squeaking  and  flutes  !  "  grumbled  Myndert,  ere  the  last 
sounds  were  fairly  ended,  "  This  is  downright  heathenish; 
and  a  plain-dealing  man,  who  does  business  above-board,  has 
good  reason  to  wish  himself  honestly  at  church.  What  have 
we  to  do  with  land-witches,  or  water-witches,  or  any  other 
witchcraft,  that  we  stay  in  the  brigantine,  now  it  is  known  that 
my  niece  is  not  to  be  found  aboard  her ;  and,  moreover,  even 
admitting  that  we  were  disposed  to  traffic,  the  craft  has  noth 
ing  in  her  that  a  man  of  Manhattan  should  want.  The  deep 
est  bog  of  thy  manor,  patroon,  is  safer  ground  to  tread  on  than 
the  deck  of  a  vessel  that  has  got  a  reputation  like  that  of  this 
craft." 

The  scenes  of  which  he  was  a  witness  had  produced  their 
effect  on  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook.  Of  a  slow  imagination, 
but  of  a  powerful  and  vast  frame,  he  was  not  easily  excited,  either 
to  indulge  in  fanciful  images,  or  to  suffer  personal  apprehen 
sion.  Only  a  few  years  had  passed  since  men,  who  in  other 
respects  were  enlightened,  firmly  believed  in  the  existence  of 
supernatural  agencies  in  the  control  of  the  affairs  of  this  life  ; 
and  though  the  New-Netherlanders  had  escaped  the  infatuation 
which  prevailed  so  generally  in  the  religious  provinces  of  New 
England,  a  credulous  superstition,  of  a  less  active  quality,  pos 
sessed  the  minds  of  the  most  intelligent  of  the  Dutch  colo 
nists,  and  even  of  their  descendants  so  lately  as  in  our  own 
times.  The  art  of  divination  was  particularly  in  favor  ;  and 
it  rarely  happened  that  any  inexplicable  event  affected  the 
fortunes  or  comforts  of  the  good  provincialists,  without  their 
having  recourse  to  some  one  of  the  more  renowned  fortune 
tellers  of  the  country  for  an  explanation.  Men  of  slow 
/acuities  love  strong  excitement,  because  they  are  insensible  to 
less  powerful  impulses,  as  men  of  hard  heads  find  most  enjoy 
ment  in  strong  liquors.  The  patroon  was  altogether  of  the 
sluggish  cast ;  and  to  him  there  was  consequently  a  secret  but 
deep  pleasure  in  his  present  situation. 

"What  important  results  may  flow  from  this  adventure, 
we  know  not,  Mr.  Alderman  Van  Beverout,"  returned  Olof? 
Van  Staats ;  "  and  J  confess  a  desire  to  see  and  hear  more,  be 
fore  we  land.  This  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  is  altogether  a  dif 
ferent  man  from  what  our  rumors  in  the  city  have  reported  \ 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  I$3 

tnd,  by  remaining,  we  may  set  public  opinion  nearer  to  the 

truth.     I  have  heard  my  late  venerable  aunt — " 

"Chimney-corners  and  traditions !  The  good  lady  was  no 
bad  customer  of  these  gentry,  patroon ;  and  it  is  lucky  that 
they  got  no  more  of  thy  inheritance,  in  the  way  of  fees. 
You  see  the  Lust  in  Rust  against  the  mountain  there ;  well, 
all  that  is  meant  for  the  public  is  on  the  outside,  and  all  that 
is  intended  for  my  own  private  gratification  is  kept  within 
doors. — But  here  is  Captain  Ludlow,  who  has  matters  of  the 
queen  on  his  hands,  and  the  gentleman  will  find  it  disloyal  to 
waste  the  moments  in  this  juggling." 

"  I  confess  the  same  desire  to  witness  the  end,"  dryly  re 
turned  the  commander  of  the  Coquette.  "  The  state  of  the 
wind  prevents  any  immediate  change  in  the  positions  of  the 
two  vessels ;  and  v/hy  not  get  a  further  insight  into  the  extra 
ordinary  character  of  those  who  belong  to  the  brigantine  ?  " 

"Ay,  there  it  is !"  muttered  the  alderman  between  his 
teeth.  "  Your  insights  and  outsights  lead  to  all  the  troubles 
of  life.  One  is  never  snug  with  these  fantastics,  which  trifle 
with  a  secret,  like  a  fly  fluttering  round  a  candle,  until  his 
wings  get  burnt." 

As  his  companions  seemed  resolved  to  stay,  however,  there 
remained  no  alternative  for  the  burgher  but  patience.  Al 
though  apprehension  of  some  indiscreet  exposure  was  certainly 
the  feeling  uppermost  in  his  mind,  he  was  not  entirely  without 
some  of  the  weakness  which  caused  Oloff  Van  Staats  to 
listen  and  to  gaze  with  so  much  obvious  interest  and  secret 
awe.  Even  Ludlow  himself  felt  more  affected  than  he  would 
have  willingly  owned,  by  the  extraordinary  situation  in  which 
he  was  placed.  No  man  is  entirely  insensible  to  the  influence 
of  sympathy,  let  it  exert  its  power  in  what  manner  it  will. 
Of  this  the  young  sailor  was  the  more  conscious,  through  the 
effect  that  was  produced  on  himself,  by  the  grave  exterior  and 
attentive  manner  of  all  the  mariners  of  the  brigantine.  He 
was  a  seaman  of  no  mean  accomplishments;  and,  among 
other  attainments  that  properly  distinguish  men  of  his  profes 
sion,  he  had  learned  to  know  the  country  of  a  sailor,  by  those 
general  and  distinctive  marks  which  from  the  principal  differ 
ence  between  men  whose  common  pursuit  has  in  so  great  a 
degree  created  a  common  character.  Intelligence,  at  that  day, 
was  confined  to  narrow  limits  among  those  who  dwelt  on  the 
ocean.  Even  the  officer  was  but  too  apt  to  be  one  of  rude 
and  boisterous  manners,  of  limited  acquirements,  and  of  deep 
tnd  obstinate  prejudices.  No  wonder  t-*?r  that  the  common 


154  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

man  was,  in  general,  ignorant  of  most  of  those  opinions  which 
gradually  enlighten  society.  Ludlow  had  seen,  on  entering 
the  vessel,  that  her  crew  was  composed  of  men  of  different 
countries.  Age  and  personal  character  seemed  to  have  been 
more  consulted,  in  their  selection,  than  national  distinctions. 
There  was  a  Finlander,  with  a  credulous  and  oval  physiognomy, 
sturdy  but  short  frame,  and  a  light  vacant  eye  ;  and  a  dark- 
skinned  seaman  of  the  Mediterranean,  whose  classical  outline 
of  feature  was  often  disturbed  by  uneasy  and  sensitive  glances 
at  the  horizon.  These  two  men  had  come  and  placed  them 
selves  near  the  group  on  the  quarter-deck,  when  the  last  music 
was  heard ;  and  Ludlow  had  ascribed  the  circumstance  to  a 
sensibility  to  melody,  when  the  child  Zephyr  stole  to  their  side, 
in  a  manner  to  show  that  more  was  meant  by  the  movement 
than  was  apparent  in  the  action  itself.  The  appearance  of 
Tiller,  who  invited  the  party  to  reenter  the  cabin,  explained 
its  meaning,  by  showing  that  these  men,  like  themselves,  had 
business  with  the  being  who,  it  was  pretended,  had  so  great  an 
agency  in  controlling  the  fortunes  of  the  brigantine. 

The  party,  who  now  passed  into  the  little  ante-room,  was 
governed  by  very  different  sensations.  The  curiosity  of  Lud 
low  was  lively,  fearless,  and  a  little  mingled  with  an  interest 
that  might  be  termed  professional ;  while  that  of  his  two  com 
panions  was  not  without  some  inward  reverence  for  the  mys 
terious  power  of  the  sorceress.  The  two  seamen  manifested 
dull  dependence,  while  the  boy  exhibited,  in  his  ingenuous 
and  half- terrified  countenance,  most  unequivocally  the  in 
fluence  of  childish  awe.  The  mariner  of  the  shawl  was  grave, 
silent,  and,  what  was  unusual  in  his  deportment,  respectful. 
After  a  moment's  delay,  the  door  of  the  inner  apartment  was 
opened  by  Seadrift  himself,  and  he  signed  for  the  whole  to 
enter. 

A  material  change  had  been  made  in  the  arrangement  of  the 
principal  cabin.  The  light  was  entirely  excluded  from  the 
stern,  and  a  crimson  curtain  had  been  lowered  before  the  alcove. 
A  small  window,  whose  effect  was  to  throw  a  dim  obscurity 
within,  had  been  opened  in  the  side.  The  objects  on  which 
its  light  fell  the  strongest,  received  a  soft  covering  from  the 
hues  of  the  hangings. 

The  free-trader  received  his  guests  with  a  chastened  air, 
bowing  silently,  and  with  less  of  levity  in  his  mien  than  in 
the  former  interview.  Still  Ludlow  thought  there  lingered  a 
forced  but  sad  smile  about  his  handsome  mouth  ;  and  the 
patroon  gazed  at  his  fine  features,  with  the  admiration  that  one 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  155 

anight  feel  for  the  most  favored  of  those  who  were  believed  to 
minister  at  some  supernatural  shrine.  The  feelings  of  the 
alderman  were  exhibited  only  by  some  half-suppressed  mur 
murs  of  discontent,  that  from  time  to  time  escaped  him,  not 
withstanding  a  certain  degree  of  reverence,  that  was  gradually 
prevailing  over  his  ill-concealed  dissatisfaction. 

"  They  tell  me,  you  would  speak  with  our  mistress,"  said 
the  principal  personage  of  the  vessel,  in  a  subdued  voice 
"  There  are  others,  too,  it  would  seem,  who  wish  to  seek 
council  from  her  wisdom.  It  is  now  many  months  since  we 
have  had  direct  converse  with  her,  though  the  book  is  evei 
open  to  all  applicants  for  knowledge.  You  have  nerves  for  the 
meeting?  " 

"Her  majesty's  enemies  have  never  reproached  me  with 
their  want,"  returned  Ludlow,  smiling  incredulously.  "Pro 
ceed  with  your  incantations,  that  we  may  know." 

"  We  are  not  necromancers,  sir,  but  faithful  mariners,  who 
do  their  mistress's  pleasure.  I  know  that  you  are  skeptical ; 
but  bolder  men  have  confessed  their  mistakes,  with  less  testi 
mony.  Hist !  we  are  not  alone.  I  hear  the  opening  and 
shutting  of  the  brigantine's  transoms.' 

The  speaker  then  fell  back  nearly  to  the  line  in  which  the 
others  had  arranged  themselves,  and  awaited  the  result  in  si 
lence.  The  curtain  rose  to  a  low  air  on  the  same  wind-instru 
ment  ;  and  even  Ludlow  felt  an  emotion  more  powerful  than 
interest,  as  he  gazed  on  the  object  that  was  revealed  to  view. 

A  female  form,  attired,  as  near  as  might  be,  like  a  figure 
head  of  the  vessel,  and  standing  in  a  similar  attitude,  occupied 
the  centre  of  the  alcove.  As  in  the  image,  one  hand  held  a 
book  with  its  page  turned  toward  the  spectators,  while  a  finger 
of  the  other  pointed  ahead,  as  if  giving  to  the  brigantine  its 
course.  The  sea-green  drapery  was  floating  behind,  as  if  it 
felt  the  influence  of  the  air  ;  and  the  face  had  the  same  dark 
and  unearthly  hue,  with  its  malign  and  remarkable  smile. 

When  the  start  and  the  first  gaze  of  astonishment  were  over, 
the  alderman  and  his  companions  glanced  their  eyes  at  each 
other  in  wonder.  The  smile  on  the  look  of  the  free-trader 
became  less  hidden,  and  it  partook  of  triumph. 

"  If  any  here  has  aught  to  say  to  the  lady  of  our  bark,  let 
him  now  declare  it.  She  has  come  far,  :  our  call,  and  will 
not  tarry  long." 

"I  would  then  know,"  said  Ludlow,  drawing  a  heavy 
breath,  like  one  recovering  from  some  sudden  and  powerful 
sensation,  "  if  she  I  seek  be  within  the  brigantine?" 


I $6  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

He  who  acted  the  part  of  mediator  in  this  extraordinary 
ceremony,  bowed  and  advanced  to  the  book,  which,  with  an 
air  of  deep  reverence,  he  consulted,  reading,  or  appearing  to 
read,  from  its  pages. 

* '  You  are  asked  here,  in  return  for  that  you  inquire,  if  she 
you  seek  is  sought  in  sincerity  ?  " 

Ludlow  reddened  ;  the  manliness  of  the  profession  to  which 
he  belonged,  however,  overcame  the  reluctance  natural  to  self- 
esteem  ;  and  he  answered,  firmly  : 

"She  is." 

"  But  you  are  a  mariner ;  men  of  the  sea  place  their  affec 
tions,  often,  on  the  fabric  in  which  they  dwell.  Is  the  attach 
ment  for  her  you  seek  stronger  than  love  of  wandering,  of  your 
ship,  your  youthful  expectations,  and  the  glory  that  forms  a 
young  sailor's  dreams?  " 

The  commander  of  the  Coquette  hesitated.  After  a 
moment  of  pause,  like  that  of  self-examination,  he  said  : 

"  As  much  so  as  may  become  a  man." 

A  cloud  crossed  the  brow  of  his  interrogator,  who  advanced 
and  again  consulted  the  pages  of  the  book. 

"You  are  required  to  say,  if  a  recent  event  has  not  dis 
turbed  your  confidence  in  her  you  seek?  " 

"  Disturbed— but  not  destroyed." 

The  sea-green  lady  moved,  and  the  pages  of  the  mysterious 
volume  trembled,  as  If  eager  to  deliver  their  oracles. 

"  And  could  you  repress  curiosity,  pride,  and  all  the  other 
sentiments  of  your  sex,  and  seek  her  favor,  without  asking 
explanation,  as  before  the  occurrence  of  late  events?  " 

' '  I  would  do  much  to  gain  a  kind  look  from  Alida  de 
Barberie ;  but  the  degraded  spirit  of  which  you  speak,  would 
render  me  unworthy  of  her  esteem.  If  I  found  her  as  I  lost 
her,  my  life  should  be  devoted  to  her  happiness ;  if  not,  to 
mourning  that  one  so  fair  should  have  fallen  !  " 

"Have  you  ever  felt  jealousy  ?  " 

"  First  let  me  know  if  I  have  cause  !  "  cried  the  young  man, 
advancing  a  step  toward  the  motionless  form  with  an  evident 
intent  to  look  closer  into  its  character. 

The  hand  of  the  mariner  of  the  shawl  arrested  him  with  the 
strength  of  a  giant. 

"No  trespass  on  the  respect  due  our  mistress,"  coolly 
observed  the  vigorous  seaman,  while  he  motioned  to  the  othei 
to  retreat. 

A  fierce  glance  shot  from  his  e^e ;  and  then  the  recollectioa 


I  HE    WATER-WITCH,  I  $7 

of  his  present  helplessness  came,  m  season,  to  restrain  ihe  re 
icntment  of  the  offended  officer, 

"  Have  you  ever  felt  jealousy  ?  "  continued  his  undisturbed 
interrogatosTo 

"  Would  any  love.,  that  have  not  ?  " 

A  gentle  respiration  was  heard  in  the  cabin,  during  the  short 
pause  mat  succeededp  though  none  could  tell  whence  it  came. 
The  alderman  turned  to  regard  the  patroon,  as  if  he  believed 
the  sign  was  his  \  while  the  startled  Ludlow  looked  curiously 
around  him^  at  a  loss  to  know  who  acknowledged^  with  so  much 
lensibility,  the  truth  of  his  reply, 

"Your  answers  are  wells*"  resumed  the  free-trader,  after  a 
pause  longer  than  visual  Then,  turning  to  Oloff  Van  Staats* 
he  said?  ts  Whom  or  what  do  you  seek? " 

f(  We  come  on  a  common  errand," 

"  And  do  you  seek  in  all  sincerity  ?  '" 

-''I  could  wish  to  find.1" 

"  You  are  rich  in  lands  and  houses ;  is  she  you  seek  dear  to 
you  as  this  wealth  ?  *" 

"  I  esteem  them  both,  since  one  could  not  wish  to  tie  a 
woman  he  admired  to  beggary/* 

The  alderman  hemmed  so  loud  as  to  fill  the  cabin,  and  ther^ 
ttartled  at  his  own  interruption,  he  involuntarily  bowed  an 
apology  to  the  motionless  form  in  the  alcove,  and  regained  his 
composure. 

•"'  There  is  more  of  prudence  than  of  ardor  in  your  answer, 
Pave  you  ever  felt  jealousy  ?  " 

"That  has  he!"  eagerly  exclaimed  Myndert.  "I've 
fcnown  the  gentleman  raving  as  a  bear  that  has  lost  its  cub, 
when  my  niece  has  smi!ed?  in  church,  for  instance,  though  it 
were  only  in  answer  to  a  nod  from  an  old  lady.  Philosophy 
and  composures  patroon  I  Who  the  devil  knows  but  Alida 
may  hear  of  this  questioning  ? — and  then  her  French  blood 
will  boil,  to  find  that  your  love  has  always  gone  as  regularly 
as  the  town-clock," 

"  Could  you  receive  her  without  inquiring  into  past 
events?'* 

"  That  would  he — that  would  he  !  "  returned  the  alderman, 
5«  I  answer  for  it,  that  Mr,  Van  Staats  complies  with  all  engage 
ments  as  punctually  as  the  best  house  in  Amsterdam  itself.  "* 

The  book  again  trembled,  but  it  was  with  a  waving  and  dis- 
satisfied  motion. 

'•'  What  is  thy  will  with  our  mistress  ?  "  demanded  the  free 
,  of  the  fair-haired  sailor0 


»!>&  THE    WATEfrWITCH 

"  I  have  bargained  with  some  of  the  dealers  of  my  country 
for  a  wind  to  carry  the  brigantine  through  the  inlet." 

«« Go. — The  Water- Witch  will  sail  when  there  is  need — and 
you?" 

"  I  wish  to  know  whether  a  few  skins  I  bought  last  night 
for  a  private  venture,  will  turn  to  good  account?" 

"  Trust  the  sea-green  lady  for  your  profits.  When  did  she 
ever  let  any  fail  in  a  bargain  !~Childj  what  has  brought  thee 
hither?" 

The  boy  trembled,  and  a  little  time  elapsed  before  h»  found 
resolution  to  answer 

"  They  tell  me  it  is  so  queer  to  be  upon  the  land  I  " 

et  Sirrah  !  thou  hast  been  answered.  When  others  go,  thoa 
ihalt  go  with  them." 

"  TTiey  say  'tis  pleasant  to  taste  the  fruits  from  off  the  very 
trees—" 

"Thou  art  answeredo — Gentlemen,  our  mistress  departs. 
She  knows  that  one  among  you  has  threatened  her  favorite 
brigantine  with  the  anger  of  an  earthly  queen ;  but  it  is  be 
neath  her  office  to  reply  to  threats  so  idle.  Hark !  her  at 
tendants  are  in  waiting?  " 

The  wind-instrument  was  once  more  heard,  and  the  curtain 
slowly  fell  to  its  strains,  A  sudden  and  violent  noise,  resem 
bling  the  opening  and  shutting  of  some  massive  door,  succeeded 
—then  all  was  stilL  When  the  sorceress  had  disappeared,  the 
free-trader  resumed  his  former  ease  of  manner,  seeming  to 
speak  and  act  more  naturally.  Alderman  Van  Beverout  drew 
a  long  breath,  like  one  relieved  t  and  even  the  mariner  of  the 
gay  shawl  stood  in  an  easier  and  more  reckless  attitude  than 
while  in  her  presence*  The  two  seamen  and  the  child  with 
drew. 

"  Few  who  wear  that  livery  have  ever  before  seen  the  lady 
of  our  brigantine,*'  continued  the  free-trader,  addressing  him 
self  to  Ludlow;  "  and  it  is  proof  that  she  has  less  aversion  to 
your  cruiser  than  she  in  common  feels  to  most  of  the  long 
pennants  that  are  abroad  on  the  water," 

"  Thy  mistress,  thy  vessel,  and  thyself,  are  alike  amusing '  " 
returned  the  young  seaman,  again  smiling  incredulously,  and 
with  some  little  official  pride.  "  It  will  be  well,  if  you  main 
tain  this  pleasantry  much  longer,  at  the  expense  of  her  ma 
jesty's  customs." 

"  We  trust  to  the  power  of  the  Water- Witcho  She  Las 
adopted  our  brigantine  as  her  abode,  given  it  her  name,  and 
guides  it  with  her  hand.  'Twould  be  weak  to  doubt,  when 
thus  protected." 


WATER-WITCH  1 59 

"  There  may  be  occasion  to  try  her  virtues.  Were  she  * 
spirit  of  the  deed  waters,  her  robe  would  be  blue.  Nothing 
of  a  light  draught  can  escape  the  Coquette  ?  " 

"  Dost  not  know  that  the  color  of  the  sea  differs  in  different 
climes  ?  We  fear  not,  but  you  would  have  answers  to  your 
questions.  Honest  Tiller  will  carry  you  all  to  the  land,  and. 
•in  passing,  the  book  may  again  be  consulted.  I  doubt  not  she 
will  leave  us  some  further  memorial  of  her  visit." 

The  free-trader  then  bowed,  and  retired  behind  the  curtain, 
with  the  air  of  a  sovereign  dismissing  his  visitors  from  an 
audience ;  though  his  eyes  glanced  curiously  behind  him,  as 
he  disappeared,  as  if  to  trace  the  effects  which  had  been  pro 
duced  by  the  interview  Alderman  Vah  Beverout  and  hh 
friends  where  in  the  boat  again  before  a  syllable  was  excnanged 
between  them,  They  had  followed  thr;  mariner  of  the  shawl, 
in  obedience  to  his  signal ;  and  they  quitted  the  side  of  the 
beautiful  bngantine,  like  men  who  pondered  on  what  they  had 
just  witnessed. 

Enough  has  been  betrayed,  in  the  course  of  the  narrative, 
perhaps  to  show,  that  Ludlow  distrusted,  though  he  could  not 
avoid  wondering  at  what  he  had  seen.  He  was  not  entirely 
free  from  the  superstition  that  was  then  so  common  among 
seamen  ;  but  his  education  and  native  good  sense  enabled  him 
in  a  great  measure  to  extricate  his  imagination  from  that  love 
of  the  marvellous  which  is  more  or  less  common  to  all.  He 
had  fifty  conjectures  concerning  the  meaning  of  what  had 
passed,  and  not  one  of  them  was  true ;  though  each,  at  the 
instant^,  seemed  to  appease  his  curiosity,  while  it  quickened 
his  resolution  to  pry  further  into  the  affair.  As  for  the  Pat- 
roon  of  Kinderhook,  the  present  day  was  one  of  rare  and  un 
equalled  pleasure.  He  had  all  the  gratification  which  strong 
excitement  can  produce  in  slow  natures  ;  and  he  neither  wished 
a  solution  of  his  doubts,  nor  contemplated  any  investigation 
that  might  destroy  so  agreeable  an  illusion,  His  fancy  was 
fall  of  the  dark  countenance  of  the  sorceress ;  and,  when  \\ 
did  not  dwell  on  a  subject  so  unnatural,  it  saw  the  handsome 
features,  ambiguous  smile,  and  attractive  air,  of  her  scarcely 
less  admirable  minister, 

As  the  boat  got  to  a  little  distance  from  the  vessel,  Tiller  stood 
erect,  and  ran  his  eye  complacently  over  the  perfection  of  h«f 
hull  and  rigging, 

"  Our  mistress  has  equipped  and  sent  upon  the  wide  and  un- 
toeafren  sea  many  a  bark/'  he  said  ;  *'•  but  never  a  lovelier  than 
our  own  -  -Captain  Ludiow.  there  has  been  some  double-deal* 


160  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

hag  between  us  j  but  that  which  is  to  follow  sh&A  depend  oa 
cur  skill,  our  seamanship;  and  our  heelSo  You  serve  Queen 
Anne,,  and  I  the  sea-green  lady.  Let  each  be  true  tc  his  mis- 
cress,  and  Heaven  preserve  the  deserving  !  —  Wilt  see  the  book 
before  we  make  the  trial?  " 

Ludlow  intimated  his  assent,  and  the  boat  approached  the 
figure-head.  It  was  impossible  to  prevent  the  feeling  which 
each  of  our  three  adventurers,  not  excepting  the  alderman, 
felt  when  they  came  in  full  view  of  the  motionless  image. 
The  mysterious  countenance  appeared  endowed  with  thought* 
and  the  malign  smile  seemed  still  more  ironical  than  before, 

'  '  The  first  question  was  yours,  and  yours  must  be  the  first 
answered,"  said  Tiller,  motioning  for  Ludlow  to  consult  the 
page  which  was  open.  "  Our  mistress  deals  chiefly  in  verses 
from  the  old  writers  whose  thoughts  are  almost  as  common  to 
us  all  as  to  human  nature." 

"  What  means  this  ?  "  said  Ludlow  hastily  ? 


«  Shec  ClandiOp  that  you  wronged,  look  yon  restore 

-^-love  her,  Angelo  £ 
I  have  confessed  her,  and  I  know  her  virtue." 

"  These  are  plain  words  ;  but  I  would  rather  that  anotha 
priest  should  shrive  her  whom  I  love  !  " 

te  Hist  !  —  Young  blood  is  swift  and  quickly  heated.  Out 
lady  of  the  bark  will  not  relish  hot  speech  over  her  oracles,—. 
Come,  master  Patroon,  turn  the  page  with  the  rattan,  and  sec 
what  Fortune  will  give." 

Oloff  Van  Staats  raised  his  powerful  arm,  with  the  hesitation 
and  yet  with  the  curiosity  of  a  girl.  It  was  easy  to  read  In 
feis  eye  the  pleasure  his  heavy  nature  felt  in  the  excitement  ; 
yet  it  was  easy  to  detect  the  misgivings  of  an  erroneous 
education,  by  the  seriousness  of  all  the  other  members  of 
his  countenance.  He  read  aloud  s 

"  I  have  a  motion  much  imports  your  good  ; 
Whereto,  if  you'll  a  willing  ear  incline, 
What's  mine  is  yours9  and  what  is  yours  is  mine.—  - 
So  bring  us  to  our  palace,  where  we'll  shows 
What's  yet  behind,  that's  meet  you  all  should  know.* 
MEASURE  FOR  MEASURE, 

"  Fair-dealing  P  and  fairer  speech  I  e  Whatps  yours  is  mine, 
and  what  is  mine  is  yours/  is  measure  for  measure,  truly, 
patroon]  "'  cried  the  alderman.  "  A  more  equitable  bargain 
cannot  be  madeo  wfeen  the  assets  are  of  equal  value.  Here  is 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  l6l 

Is  encouiAgement,  in  good  sooth ;  and  now,  Master  Mariner, 
we  will  land  and  proceed  to  the  Lust  in  Rust,  which  must  be 
the  place  meant  in  the  verses.  *  What's  yet  behind,'  must  be 
Alida,  the  tormenting  baggage  !  who  has  been  playing  hide- 
and-seek  with  uSg  for  no  other  reason  than  to  satisfy  heY  wom 
anish  vanity,  by  showing  how  uncomfortable  she  could  make 
three  grave  and  responsible  men, — Let  the  boat  go?  Master 
Tiller,  since  that  is  thy  name  ^  and  many  thanks  for  thy  civil 
ities." 

"  'Twouid  give  grave  offence  to  leave  the  ladys  without 
knowing  all  she  has  to  say.  The  answer  now  concerns  you., 
worthy  alderman ;  and  the  rattan  will  do  its  turn,  ii>  youi 
hand,  as  well  as  in  that  of  another." 

"  I  despise  a  pitiful  curiosity,  and  content  myself  with  know 
ing  what  chance  and  good  luck  teach/'  returned  Mynderi, 
"There  are  men  in  Manhattan  ever  prying  into  their  neigh 
bors'  credit,  like  frogs  lying  with  their  noses  out  of  water; 
'but  it  is  enough  for  me  to  know  the  state  of  my  books*  with 
some  insight  into  that  of  the  market'" 

'  •'  It  will  not  doc  This  may  appease  a  quiet  consciences  like 
your  own,  sir ;  but  we  of  the  brigantine  may  not  trifle  with 
our  mistress.  One  touch  of  the  rattan  will  tell  you  whether 
tfhese  visits  to  the  Water-Witch  are  likely  to  prove  to  your  ad= 
vantage." 

Myndert  wavered.  It  has  been  said  that,  like  most  othen 
of  its  origin  in  the  colony,  he  had  a  secret  leaning  to  the  an 
of  divination :  and  the  words  of  the  hero  of  the  shawl  con 
tained  a  nattering  allusion  to  the  profits  of  his  secret  com 
merce.  He  took  the  offered  stick,  and,  by  the  time  the  page 
was  turned,  his  eyes  were  ready  enough  to  consult  its  contents. 
There  was  but  a  line,  which  was  aisc  quoted  as  coming  from 
the  well-known  comedy  of  "  Measure  lor  Measure  \  *9 

«  Proclaim  it,  provost,  round  atoont  &e  city." 

In  bis  eagerness  Myndert  read  the  oracle  aloud ;  then  he 
sank  into  his  seat,  affecting  to  laugh  at  the  whole  as  a  childisb 
and  va?.n  conceit, 

s  *  Proclamation  me  no  proclamations !  Is  it  a  time  of  hos° 
tilities,  or  of  public  danger,  that  one  should  go  shouting  with 
his  tidings  through  the  streets  ?  Measure  for  measure,  truly  ! 
Harkee,  Master  Tiller,  this  sea-green  trull  of  thine  is  no  better 
than  she  should  be ;  and  unless  she  mend  her  manner  of  deal 
ing,  no  honest  man  will  be  found  willing  to  be  seen  i&  het 

It 


f62  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

company.  I  am  no  believer  in  necromancy — though  the 
has  certainly  opened  this  year  altogether  in  an  unusual  manner 
— and  therefore  I  put  little  faith  in  her  words ;  but  as  for  say 
ing  aught  of  me  or  mine,  in  town  or  country,  Holland  ox 
America,  that  can  shake  my  credit,  why,  I  defy  her  !  Still,  I 
would  not  willingly  have  any  idle  stories  to  contradict ;  and  1 
shall  conclude  by  saying,  you  will  do  well  to  stop  her  mouth.  r 

*J  Stop  a  hurricane,  or  a  tornado  !  Truth  will  come  in  he- 
book,  and  he  that  reads  must  expect  to  see  it. — Captain  Lud- 
k>w,  you  are  master  of  your  movements  again ;  for  the  inlet  is 
no  longer  between  you  and  your  cruiser.  Behind  yon  hillock 
is  the  boat  and  crew  you  missed,  The  latter  expect  you. — 
And  now,  gentlemen,  we  leave  the  rest  to  the  green  lady's 
guidance,  our  own  good  skill,  and  the  winds  \  I  salute  you/' 

The  moment  his  companions  were  on  the  shore,  the  hero  of 
the  shawl  caused  his  boat  to  quit  it;  and  in  less  than  five  min 
utes  it  was  seen  swinging  by  its  tackles  at  the  stern  of  the 
brigantine. 


CHAPTER  XVH. 

*.         like  Arion  on  the  dolphin's  back 
I  saw  him  hold  acquaintance  with  the 
So  long  as  I  couid  see0/s 

TEMPEST. 

THERE  was  one  curious  though  half-confounded  observer  o« 
all  that  passed  in  and  around  the  cove,  on  the  morning  irt 
question.  This  personage  was  no  other  than  the  slave  called 
Bonnie,  who  was  the  factotum  of  his  master,  over  the  demesnes 
of  the  Lust  in  Rust3  during  the  time  when  the  presence  of  "he 
alderman  was  required  in  the  city ;  which  was,  in  truth,  at 
least  four-fifths  of  the  year.  Responsibility  and  confidence 
had  produced  their  effect  on  this  negro,  as  on  more  cultivated 
minds=  He  had  been  used  to  act  in  situations  of  care ;  and 
practice  had  produced  a  habit  of  vigilance  and  observation, 
that  was  not  common  in  men  of  his  unfortunate  condition. 
There  is  no  moral  truth  more  certain  than  that  mens,  when 
once  accustomed  to  this  species  of  domination,  as  readily  sub 
mit  their  minds  as  their  bodies  to  the  control  of  otherSc  Thus 
it  is  that  we  see  entire  nations  maintaining  sc  many  erroneous 
maxims,  merely  because  it  has  suited  the  interests  of  those  who 
do  the  thinking,  to  give  forth  these  fallacies  to  their  followers. 
Fortunately,  however,  for  me  improvemtn*  of  the  iace  aud  tfe« 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  l6j 

advancement  of  truth,  it  is  only  necessary  to  give  a  man  an 
opportunity  to  exercise  his  natural  faculties  in  order  to  make 
him  a  reflecting  and  in  some  degree  an  independent  being. 
Such,  though  to  a  very  limited  extent  certainly,  had  been  the 
consequence  in  the  instance  of  the  slave  just  mentioned. 

How  far  Bonnie  had  been  concerned  in  the  proceedings  be 
tween  his  master  and  the  mariners  of  the  brigantine,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  say.  Little  passed  at  the  villa  of  which  he 
was  ignorant;  and  as  curiosity,  once  awakened,  increases  its 
own  desire  for  indulgence,  could  he  have  had  his  wish,  little 
would  have  passed  anywhere  near  him,  without  his- knowing 
something  of  its  nature  and  import.  He  had  seen,  while 
seemingly  employed  with  his  hoe  in  the  garden  of  the  alder 
man,  the  trio  conveyed  by  Erasmus  across  the  inlet ;  and 
watched  the  manner  in  which  they  followed  its  margin  to  the 
shade  of  the  oak,  and  had  seen  them  enter  the  brigantine,  as 
related.  That  this  extraordinary  visit  on  board  a  vessel  which 
was  in  common  shrouded  by  so  much  mystery,  had  given  rise 
to  much  and  unusual  reflection  in  the  mind  of  the  black,  was 
apparent  by  the  manner  in  which  he  so  often  paused  in  his 
labor,  and  stood  leaning  on  the  handle  of  his  hoe.  He  had 
never  known  his  master  so  far  overstep  his  usual  caution  as  to 
quit  the  dwelling  during  the  occasional  visits  of  the  free 
trader  ;  yet  he  had  now  gone  as  it  were  into  the  very  jaws  of 
the  lion,  accompanied  by  the  commander  of  a  royal  cruiser. 
No  wonder,  then,  that  the  vigilance  of  the  negro  became  still 
more  active,  and  that  not  even  the  slightest  circumstance  was 
suffered  to  escape  his  admiring  eye.  During  the  whole  time 
consumed  by  the  visit  related  in  the  preceding  chapter,  not  a 
minute  had  been  suffered  to  pass  without  an  inquiring  look  in 
the  direction  either  of  the  brigantine  or  of  the  adjacent  shore. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  how  keen  the  attention  of  the 
slave  became,  when  his  master  and  his  companions  were  seen 
to  return  to  the  land.  They  immediately  ascended  to  the  foot 
of  the  oak,  where  there  was  a  long  and  apparently  a  serious 
conference  between  them.  During  this  consultation,  the  negro 
never  suffered  his  gaze,  for  an  instant,  to  alter  its  direction. 
Indeed,  he  scarcely  drew  breath,  until  the  whole  party  quitted 
the  spot  together,  and  buried  themselves  in  the  thicket  that 
covered  the  cape,  taking  the  direction  of  its  outer  or  northern 
extremity,  instead  of  retiring  by  the  shore  of  the  cove,  toward 
the  inlet.  Then  Bonnie  respired  heavily,  and  began  to  look 
about  him  at  the  other  objects  that  properly  belonged  to  the 
interest  of  the  scene. 


364  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

The  brigantine  had  run  up  her  boat,  and  she  now  lay,  as 
when  first  seen,  a  motionless,  beautiful,  and  exquisitely  grace 
ful  fabric,  without  the  smallest  sign  about  her  of  an  intention 
to  move,  or  indeed  without  exhibiting  any  other  proof,  except 
in  her  admirable  order  and  symmetry,  that  any  of  human 
powers  dwelt  within  her  hull.  The  royal  cruiser,  though 
larger  and  of  far  less  aerial  mould  and  fashion,  presented  the 
same  picture  of  repose.  The  distance  between  the  two  was 
about  a  league ;  and  Bonnie  was  sufficiently  familiar  with  the 
formation  of  the  land  and  the  position  of  the  vessels  to  be 
quite  aware  that  this  inactivity  on  the  part  of  those  whose  duty 
it  was  to  protect  the  rights  of  the  queen,  proceeded  from  their 
litter  ignorance  of  the  proximity  of  their  neighbor.  The 
thicket  which  bounded  the  cove,  and  the  growth  of  oaks  and 
pines  that  stretched  along  the  narrow,  sandy  spit  of  land  quite 
to  its  extremity,  sufficiently  accounted  for  the  fact.  The 
negro,  therefore,  after  gazing  for  several  minutes  at  the  two 
immovable  vessels,  turned  his  eye  askance  on  the  earth,  shook 
his  head,  and  burst  into  a  laugh,  which  was  so  noisy  that  it 
caused  his  sable  partner  to  thrust  her  vacant  and  circular 
countenance  through  an  open  window  of  the  scullery  of  the 
villa,  to  demand  the  reason  of  a  merriment  that  to  her  faithful 
feelings  appeared  to  be  a  little  unsocial. 

11  Hey  !  you  alway'  keep  'e  queer  t'ing  to  heself,  Bonnie, 
but !  "  cried  the  vixen,  "  I'm  werry  glad  to  see  old  bones  like 
a  hoe  ;  an'  I  wonner'  dere  ar*  time  to  laugh,  wid'e  garden  full 
of  weed  !  " 

"  Grach  !  "  exclaimed  the  negro,  stretching  out  an  arm  in 
a  forensic  attitude ;  "  what  a  black  woman  know  of  politic  ! 
If  a  hab  time  to  talk,  better  cook  a  dinner.  Tell  one  t'ing, 
Phyllis,  and  that  be  dis  :  vy  'e  ship  of  Captain  Ludlow  no  lif 
'e  anchor,  an'  come  take  dis  rogue  in  'e  cove  ?  can  a  tell  dat 
much,  or  no  ? — if  no,  let  a  man,  who  understan*  he  self,  laugh 
much  as  he  like.  A  little  fun  no  harm  Queen  Anne  nor  kill 
'e  gubbenor !  " 

"  All  work  and  no  sleep  make  old  bone  ache,  Bonnie,  but !  " 
returned  the  consort.  "Ten  o'clock — twelve  o'clock — t'ree 
o'clock,  and  no  bed ;  veil  I  see  'e  sun  afore  a  black  fool  put 
'e  head  on  a  pillow  ! — An'  now  a  hoe  go  all  'e  same  as  if  he 
sleep  a  ten  hour.  Masser  Myn'ert  got  a  heart,  and  he  no  wish 
to  kill  he  people  wid  work,  or  old  Phyllis  war'  dead,  fifty 
year,  next  winter." 

"  I  t'ink  a  wench's  tongue  nebber  satisfy  !  What  for  tell  a 
whole  world  when  Bonnie  go  to  bed  !  He  sleep  for  heselfi 


THE    WATER-WITCH- 

and  he  no  sleep  for  fe  neighborhood  !  Dere  !  A  maa  can't 
t'ink  of  ebery  ring  in  a  minute.  Here  a  ribbon  long  enough 
to  hang  heself — take  him  and  den  remem'er,  Phyllis,  dat  you 
be  'e  wife  of  a  man  who  hab  care  on  he  shoul'er." 

Bonnie  then  set  up  another  laugh,  in  which  his  partner f 
having  quitted  her  scullery  to  seize  the  gift,  which  in  its  colors 
resembled  the  skin  of  a  garter-snake,  did  not  fail  to  join 
through  mere  excess  of  animal  delight.  The  effect  of  the  gift9 
however,  was  to  leave  the  negro  to  make  his  observations, 
without  any  further  interruption  from  one  who  was  a  little  too 
apt  to  disturb  his  solitude. 

A  boat  was  now  seen  to  pull  out  from  among  the  bushes  that 
lined  the  shore  ;  and  Bonnie  was  enabled  to  distinguish,  in  its 
stern-sheets,  the  persons  of  his  master,  Ludlow,  and  the  pa- 
troon.  He  had  been  acquainted  with  the  seizure  of  the 
Coquette's  barge  the  preceding  night,  and  with  the  confine 
ment  of  the  crew.  Its  appearance  in  that  place,  therefore, 
occasioned  no  new  surprise.  But  the  time  which  passed  while 
the  men  were  rowing  up  to  the  sloop-of-war,  was  filled  with 
minutes  of  increasing  interest.  The  black  abandoned  his  hoe, 
and  took  a  position  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  that  gave  him 
a  view  of  the  whole  bay.  So  long  as  the  mysteries  of  the  Lust 
in  Rust  had  been  confined  to  the  ordinary  combinations  of  a 
secret  trade,  he  had  been  fully  able  to  comprehend  them  ;  but 
now  that  there  apparently  existed  an  alliance  so  unnatural  as 
one  between  his  master  and  the  cruiser  of  the  crown,  he  felt 
the  necessity  of  double  observation  and  of  greater  thought. 

A  far  more  enlightened  mind  than  that  of  the  slave  might 
have  been  excited  by  the  expectation  and  the  objects  which 
now  presented  themselves,  especially  if  sufficiently  prepared 
for  events,  by  a  knowledge  of  the  two  vessels  in  sight.  Though 
the  wind  still  hung  at  east,  the  cloud  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Raritan  at  length  began  to  rise.  The  broad  fleeces  of  white 
vapor,  that  had  lain  the  whole  morning  over  the  continents, 
were  rapidly  uniting ;  and  they  formed  already  a  dark  and 
dense  mass,  that  floated  in  the  bottom  of  the  estuary,  threat 
ening  shortly  to  roll  over  the  whole  of  its  wide  waters.  The 
air  was  getting  lighter,  and  variable;  and  while  the  wash  of 
the  surf  sounded  still  more  audible,  its  roll  upon  the  beach 
was  less  regular  than  in  the  earlier  hours  of  the  day.  Such 
was  the  state  of  the  two  elements,  when  the  boat  touched  the 
side  of  the  ship.  In  a  minute  it  was  hanging  by  its  tackles* 
high  in  the  air ;  then  it  disappeared  in  the  bosom  of  the  dark 
mass. 


1 66  THE    WATERWITCH. 

It  far  exceeded  the  intelligence  of  Bonnie  to  detect,  now, 
any  further  signs  of  preparation  in  either  of  the  two  vessels 
which  absorbed  the  whole  of  his  attention.  They  appeared 
to  him  to  be  alike  without  motion,  and  equally  without  peo 
ple.  There  were,  it  is  true,  a  few  specks  in  the  rigging  of  the 
Coquette,  which  might  be  seen ;  but  the  distance  prevented 
him  from  being  sure  of  the  fact ;  and,  admitting  them  to  be 
seamen  busied  aloft,  there  were  no  visible  consequences  of 
their  presence,  that  his  uninstructed  eye  could  trace.  In  a 
minute  or  two,  even  these  scattered  specks  were  seen  no 
longer ;  though  the  attentive  black  thought  that  the  mast 
heads  and  the  rigging  beneath  the  tops  thickened,  as  if  sur 
rounded  by  more  than  their  usual  mazes  of  ropes.  At  that 
moment  of  suspense,  the  cloud  over  the  Raritan  emitted  a  flash. 
This  seemed  to  be  a  signal  for  the  cruiser ;  for  when  the  eye 
of  Bonnie,  which  had  been  directed  to  the  heavens,  returned 
toward  the  ship,  he  saw  that  she  had  opened  and  hoisted  her 
three  topsails,  seemingly  with  as  little  exertion  as  an  eagle 
would  have  spread  his  wings.  The  ship  now  became  uneasy ; 
for  the  wind  came  in  puffs,  and  the  vessel  rolled  lightly,  as  if 
struggling  to  extricate  itself  from  the  hold  of  its  anchor ;  and 
precisely  at  the  moment  when  the  shift  of  wind  was  felt,  and 
the  breeze  came  from  the  cloud  in  the  west,  the  cruiser  whirled 
away  from  its  constrained  position,  and,  appearing  for  a  short 
space  restless  as  a  steed  that  had  broken  from  its  fastenings,  it 
came  up  heavily  to  the  wind,  and  lay  balanced  by  the  action 
of  its  sails.  There  was  another  minute  or  two  of  seeming  in 
activity,  after  which  the  broad  surfaces  of  the  top-sails  were 
brought  in  parallel  lines.  One  white  sheet  was  spread  after 
another  upon  the  fabric ;  and  Bonnie  saw  that  the  Coquette, 
the  swiftest  cruiser  of  the  crown  in  those  seas,  was  dashing  out 
from  the  land  under  a  cloud  of  canvas. 

All  this  time  the  brigantine  in  the  cove  lay  quietly  at  her 
anchor.  When  the  wind  shifted,  the  light  hull  swung  with  its 
currents,  and  the  image  of  the  sea-green  lady  was  seen  offer 
ing  her  dark  cheek  to  be  fanned  by  the  breeze.  But  she  alone 
seemed  to  watch  over  the  fortunes  of  her  followers ;  for  no 
other  eye  could  be  seen  looking  out  on  the  danger  that  began 
so  seriously  to  threaten  them,  both  from  the  heavens,  and  from 
a  more  certain  and  intelligible  foe. 

As  the  wind  was  fresh,  though  unsteady,  the  Coquette 
moved  through  the  water  with  a  velocity  that  did  no  discredit 
to  her  reputation  for  speed.  At  first  it  seemed  to  be  the  in 
tention  of  the  royal  rrtji«»r  to  round  the  cape,  and  gain  as 


THE    WATER  WITCH.  l6f 

offing  in  the  open  sea,  for  her  head  was  directed  northwardly ; 
but  no  sooner  had  she  cleared  the  curve  of  the  little  bight 
which,  from  its  shape,  is  known  by  the  name  of  the  Horse 
shoe,  than  she  was"  seem  shooting  directly  into  the  eye  of  the 
vmd,  and  falling  off  with  the  graceful  and  easy  motion  of  a 
snip  in  stays,  her  head  looking  toward  the  Lust  in  Rust.  Her 
design  on  the  notorious  dealer  in  contraband  was  now  too  evi~ 
dent  to  admit  of  doubt. 

Still,  the  Water-Witch  betrayed  no  symptoms  of  alarm.  The 
meaning  eye  of  the  image  seemed  to  study  the  motions  of  her 
adversary  with  all  the  understanding  of  an  intelligent  being  ; 
and  occasionally  the  brigantine  turned  slightly  in  the  varying 
currents  of  the  air,  as  if  volition  directed  the  movements  of; 
the  little  fabric.  These  changes  resembled  the  quick  and  slight 
movements  of  the  hound,  as  he  lifts  his  head  in  his  lair,  to 
listen  to  some  distant  sound,  or  to  scent  some  passing  taint  in 
the  gale. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  approach  of  the  ship  was  so  swift  as 
to  cause  the  negro  to  shake  his  head  with  a  meaning  that  ex 
ceeded  even  his  usually  important  3ook.  Every  thing  was 
propitious  to  her  progress  ;  and  as  the  water  of  the  cove,  dur 
ing  the  periods  that  the  inlet  remained  open,  was  known  to  be 
of  a  sufficient  depth  to  admit  of  her  entrance,  the. faithful 
Bonnie  began  to  anticipate  a  severe  blow  to  the  future  fortunes 
of  his  master.  The  only  hope  that  he  could  perceive  for  the 
escape  of  the  smuggler,  was  in  the  changes  of  the  heavens. 

Although  the  threatening  cloud  had  now  quitted  the  mouth 
of  the  Raritan,  and  was  rolling  eastward  with  fearful  velocity, 
it  had  not  yet  broken.  The  air  had  the  unnatural  and  heated 
appearance  which  precedes  a  gust ;  but,  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  large  drops,  that  fell  seemingly  from  a  clear  sky,  it  was 
as  yet  what  is  called  a  dry  squall.  The  water  of  the  bay  was 
occasionally  dark,  angry,  and  green ;  and  there  were  moments 
when  it  would  appear  as  if  heavy  currents  of  air  descended  to 
its  surface,  wantonly  to  try  their  power  on  the  sister  element 
Notwithstanding  these  sinister  omens,  the  Coquette  stood  on 
her  course,  without  lessening  the  wide  surfaces  of  her  canvas 
by  a  single  inch.  They  who  governed  her  movements  were 
no  men  of  the  lazy  Levant,  nor  of  the  mild  waters  of  the 
Mediterranean,  to  tear  their  hair,  and  call  on  saints  to  stand 
between  their  helplessness  and  harm  ;  but  mariners  trained  in 
a  boisterous  sea,  and  accustomed  to  place  their  first  depend 
ence  on  their  own  good  manhood,  aided  by  the  vigilance  and 
skill  of  a  long  and  severely  exercised  experience.  A  hundred 


168  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

eyes  on  board  that  cruiser  watched  the  advance  of  the  rolling 
cloud,  or  looked  upon  the  play  of  light  and  shade,  that  caused 
the  color  of  the  water  to  vary  ;  but  it  was  steadily,  and  with 
an  entire  dependence  on  the  discretion  of  the  young  officer 
who  controlled  the  movements  of  the  ship. 

Ludlow  himself  paced  the  deck  with  all  his  usual  compos 
ure,  so  far  as  might  be  seen  by  external  signs  ;  though  in  re 
ality  his  mind  was  agitated  by  feelings  that  were  foreign  to  the 
duties  of  his  station.  He,  too,  had  thrown  occasional  glances 
at  the  approaching  squall,  but  his  eye  was  far  oftener  riveted 
on  the  motionless  brigantine,  which  was  now  distinctly  to  be 
seen  from  the  deck  of  the  Coquette,  still  riding  at  her  anchor. 
The  cry  of  "  A  stranger  in  the  cove  !  "  which  a  few  minutes 
before  came  ou.t  of  one  of  the  tops,  caused  no  surprise  in  the 
commander ;  while  the  crew,  wondering  but  obedient,  began 
for  the  first  time  to  perceive  the  object  of  their  strange  ma 
noeuvres.  Even  the  officer  next  in  authority  to  the  captain  had 
not  presumed  to  make  any  inquiry,  though  now  that  the  ob 
ject  of  their  search  was  so  evidently  in  view,  he  felt  embold 
ened  to  presume  on  his  rank,  and  to  venture  a  remark. 

"It  is  a  sweet  craft  !  "  said  the  staid  lieutenant,  yielding  to 
an  admiration  natural  to  his  habits,  "  and  one  that  might  serve 
as  a  yacht  for  the  queen  I     This  is  some  trifler  with  the  reve 
nue,  or  perhaps  a  buccaneer  from  the  islands.     The  fellow 
shows  no  ensign  !  " 

"  Give  him  notice,  sir,  that  he  has  to  do  with  one  who  bears 
the  royal  commission,"  returned  Ludlow,  speaking  from  habit, 
«md  half  unconscious  of  what  he  said.  "  We  must  teach  these 
rovers  to  respect  a  pennant." 

The  report  of  the  cannon  startled  the  absent  man9  and 
caused  him  to  remember  the  order. 

"  Was  that  gun  shotted  ?  "  he  asked,  in  a  tone  that  sounded 
like  rebuke. 

"  Shotted,  but  pointed  wide,  sir;  merely  a  broad  hint.  We 
are  no  dealers  in  dumb  show  in  the  Coquette,  Captain  Lud 
low." 

"  I  would  not  injure  the  vessel,  even  should  it  prove  a  buc 
caneer.  Be  careful  that  nothing  strikes  her,  without  an  order." 

"  Ay,  'twill  be  well  to  take  the  beauty  alive,  sir  ;  so  pretty 
a  boat  should  not  be  broken  up,  like  an  old  hulk.  Ha  !  there 
goes  his  bunting,  at  last !  He  shows  a  white  field — can  the  fel 
low  be  a  Frenchman,  after  all  ?  " 

The  lieutenant  took  a  glass,  and  for  a  moment  applied  it  to 
his  eye  with  the  usual  steadiness.  Then  he  suffered  the  instru- 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  169 

ment  to  fall,  and  it  would  seem  that  he  endeavored  to  recall 
the  different  flags  that  he  had  seen  during  the  experience  of 

many  years. 

"  This  joker  should  come  from  some  terra  incognita"  he 
said.  "  Here  is  a  woman  in  his  field,  with  an  ugly  counte 
nance,  too,  unless  the  glass  play  me  false — as  I  live,  the  rogue 
has  her  counterpart  for  a  figure-head  !  Will  you  look  at  the 
ladies,  sir?" 

Ludlow  took  the  glass,  and  it  was  not  without  curiosity  that 
he  turned  it  toward  the  colors  the  hardy  smuggler  dared  to  ex 
hibit  in  presence  of  a  cruiser.  The  vessels  were,  by  this  time, 
sufficiently  near  each  other  to  enable  him  to  distinguish  the 
swarthy  features  and  malign  smile  of  the  sea-green  lady,  whose 
form  was  wrought  in  the  field  of  the  ensign,  with  the  same  art 
as  that  which  he  had  seen  so  often  displayed  in  other  parts  of 
the  brigantine.  Amazed  at  the  daring  of  the  free-trader,  he 
returned  the  glass  and  continued  to  pace  the  deck  in  silence. 
There  stood  near  the  two  speakers  an  officer  whose  head  and 
form  began  to  show  the  influence  of  time,  and  who,  from  his 
position,  had  unavoidably  been  an  auditor  of  what  passed. 
Though  the  eye  of  this  person,  who  was  the  sailing-master  of 
the  sloop,  was  rarely  off  the  threatening  cloud,  except  to 
glance  along  the  wide  show  of  canvas  that  was  spread,  he 
found  a  moment  to  take  a  look  al  the  stranger. 

"  A  half-rigged  brig,  with  her  foretop-gallant-mast  fidded 
abaft,  a  double  martingale,  and  a  standing  gaft,"  observed  the 
methodical  and  technical  mariner,  as  another  would  have  re 
counted  the  peculiarities  of  complexion  or  of  feature  in  some 
individual  who  was  the  subject  of  a  personal  description. 
"  The  rogue  has  no  need  of  showing  his  brazen-faced  trull  to 
be  known  !  I  chased  him,  for  six-and-thirty  hours,  in  the 
chops  of  St.  George's,  no  later  than  the  last  season  ;  and  the 
fellow  ran  about  us,  like  a  dolphin  playing  under  a  ship's  fore 
foot.  We  had  him  now  on  our  weather-bow,  and  now  cross 
ing  our  course,  and  once  in  a  while  in  our  wake,  as  if  he  had 
been  a  Mother  Carey's  chicken  looking  for  our  crumbs.  He 
seems  snug  enough  in  that  cove,  to  be  sure,  yet  I'll  wager  the 
pay  of  any  month  in  the  twelve,  that  he  gives  us  the  slip. 
Captain  Ludlow,  the  brigantine  under  our  lee  here,  in  Sper» 
maceti,  is  the  well-known  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  " 

"  The  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  "  echoed  twenty  voices,  in  a 
manner  to  show  the  interest  created  by  the  unexpected  infor 
mation. 

«  j'li  syr*ar  to  his  character    before  anv   admiralty  judg* 


I7O  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

in  England  or  even  in  France,  should  there  be  occasion  to  go 
into  an  outlandish  court ;  but  no  need  of  an  oath,  when  here 
is  a  written  account  I  took,  with  my  own  hands,  having  the 
chase  in  plain  view,  at  noonday."  While  speaking,  the  sail 
ing-master  drew  a  tobacco-box  from  his  pocket,  and,  remov 
ing  a  coil  of  pigtail,  he  came  to  a  deposit  of  memorandums 
that  vied  with  the  weed  itself  in  color.  "  Now,  gentlemen," 
he  continued,  "  you  shall  have  her  build,  as  justly  as  if  the 
master-carpenter  had  laid  it  down  with  his  rule.  *  Remem 
ber  to  bring  a  muff  of  marten's  fur  from  America,  for  Mrs, 
Trysail — buy  it  in  London,  and  swear ' — this  is  not  the  paper 
— I  let  your  boy,  Mr.  Luff,  stow  away  the  last  entry  of  to 
bacco  for  me,  and  the  young  dog  has  disturbed  every  docu 
ment  I  own.  This  is  the  way  the  government  accounts  get 
jammed,  when  Parliament  wants  to  overhaul  them.  But  I 
suppose  young  blood  will  have  its  run  !  I  let  a  monkey  into 
a  church  of  a  Saturday  night  myself,  when  a  youngster,  and 
he  made  such  a  stowage  of  the  prayer-books,  that  the  whole 
parish  was  by  the  ears  for  six  months ;  and  there  is  one  quarrel 
between  two  old  ladies  that  has  not  been  made  up  to  this  hour. 
— Ah  !  here  we  have  it ;  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas.  Full-rigged 
forward,  with  fore-and-aft  main-sail  abaft ;  a  gaff-topsail ; 
taut  in  his  spars,  with  light  lop-hamper ;  neat  in  his  gear,  as 
any  beauty — carries  a  ring-tail  in  light  weather  ;  main-boom 
like  a  frigate'a  topsail-yard,  withamain-topmast-staysail  as  big 
as  a  jib.  Low  in  the  water,  with  a  woman  figure-head ;  car 
ries  sail  more  like  a  devil  than  a  human  being,  and  lies 
within  four  and  a  half  points,  when  jammed  up  hard  on  a 
wind.'  Here  are  marks  by  which  one  of  Queen  Anne's  maids 
of  honor  might  know  the  rogue;  and  there  you  see  them  all> 
as  plainly  as  human  nature  can  show  them  in  a  ship  !  " 

"  The  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  "  repeated  the  young  officers, 
who  had  crowded  around  the  veteran  tar  to  hear  this  character 
istic  description  of  the  notorious  free-trader. 

' '  Skimmer  or  flier,  we  have  him  now,  dead  under  our  lee,  with 
a  sandy  beach  on  three  of  his  sides,  and  the  wind  in  his  eye  !  " 
cried  the  first-lieutenant.  "You  shall  have  an  opportunity, 
Master  Trysail,  of  correcting  your  account  by  actual  measure 
ment." 

The  sailing-master  shook  his  head,  like  one  who  doubted, 
and  again  turned  his  eye  on  the  approaching  cloud. 

The  Coquette,  by  this  time,  had  run  so  far  as  to  have  the  en 
trance  of  the  cove  open ;  and  she  was  separated  from  her  object 
only  by  a  distance  of  a  few  cables'  length.  In  obedience  to 


THE    WATER-WITCH  I? I 

an  order  given  by  Ludlow,  all  the  light  canvas  of  the  ship 
was  taken  in,  and  the  vessel  was  left  under  her  three  topsails 
and  jib.  There  remained,  however,  a  question  as  to  the 
channel ;  for  it  was  not  usual  for  ships  of  the  Coquette's 
draught  to  be  seen  in  that  quarter  of  the  bay,  and  the  threat 
ening  state  of  the  weather  rendered  caution  doubly  necessary. 
The  pilot  shrank  from  a  responsibility  which  did  not  properly 
belong  to  his  office,  since  the  ordinary  navigation  had  no  con 
cern  with  that  secluded  place ;  and  even  Ludlow,  stimulated 
as  he  was  by  so  many  powerful  motives,  hesitated  to  incur  a 
risk  which  greatly  exceeded  his  duty.  There  was  something 
so  remarkable  in  the  apparent  security  of  the  smuggler,  that  it 
.naturally  led  to  the  belief  he  was  certain  of  being  protected 
by  some  known  obstacle,  and  it  was  decided  to  sound  before 
the  ship  was  hazarded.  An  offer  to  carry  the  free-trader  with 
the  boats,  though  plausible  in  itself,  and  perhaps  the  wisest 
course  of  all,  was  rejected  by  the  commander,  on  an  evasive 
plea  of  its  being  of  uncertain  issue,  though,  in  truth,  because 
he  felt  an  interest  in  one  whom  he  believed  the  brigantine  to 
contain,  which  entirely  forbade  the  idea  of  making  the  vessel 
the  scene  of  so  violent  a  struggle.  A  yawl  was  therefore 
.lowered  into  the  water,  the  main-topsail  of  the  ship  was 
thrown  to  the  mast;  and  Ludlow  himself,  accompanied  by  the 
pilot  and  the  master,  proceeded  to  ascertain  the  best  approach 
to  the  smuggler.  A  flash  of  lightning,  with  one  of  those 
thunder-claps  that  are  wont  to  be  more  terrific  on  this  conti 
nent  than  in  the  other  hemisphere,  warned  the  young  mariner 
of  the  necessity  of  haste,  if  he  would  regain  his  ship  before 
the  cloud,  which  still  threatened  them,  should  reach  the  spot 
where  she  lay.  The  boat  pulled  briskly  into  the  cove,  both 
the  master  and  the  pilot  sounding  on  each  side,  as  fast  as  the 
leads  could  be  cast  from  their  hands  and  recovered. 

"  This  will  do,"  said  Ludlow  when  they  had  ascertained 
that  they  could  enter.  "  I  would  lay  the  ship  as  close  as 
possible  to  the  brigantine,  for  I  distrust  her  quiet.  We  will  go 
nearer." 

"  A  brazen  witch,  and  one  whose  saucy  eye  and  pert  figure 
might  lead  any  honest  mariner  into  contraband,  or  even  into  a 
sea-robbery  !  "  half-whispered  Trysail,  perhaps  afraid  to  trust 
his  voice  within  hearing  of  a  creature  that  seemed  almost  en 
dowed  with  the  faculties  of  life.  "  Ay,  this  is  the  hussy  !  I 
know  her  by  the  book  and  her  green  jacket !  But  where  are 
lier  people  ?  The  vessel  is  as  quiet  as  the  royal  vault  on  a  cor 
onation  day,  when  the  last  king  and  those  who  went  before 


1/2  THE    WATER-IVITCH. 

him  commonly  have  the  place  to  themselves.  Here  would  be 
a  pretty  occasion  to  throw  a  boat's  crew  on  her  decks,  and 
haul  down  yon  impudent  ensign,  which  bears  the  likeness  of 
this  wicked  lady  so  bravely  in  the  air,  if — " 

"If  what?"  asked  Ludlow,  struck  with  the  plausible 
character  of  the  proposal. 

"Why,  if  one  were  sure  of  the  nature  of  such  a  minx, 
sir ;  for,  to  own  the  truth,  I  would  rather  deal  with  a  reg 
ularly-built  Frenchman,  who  showed  his  guns  honestly,  and 
kept  such  a  jabbering  aboard  that  one  might  tell  his  bearings 
in  the  dark. — The  creature  spoke  !  " 

Ludlow  did  not  reply,  for  a  heavy  crash  of  thunder  suc 
ceeded  the  vivid  glow  of  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  glared  so 
suddenly  across  the  swarthy  lineaments  as  to  draw  the  in 
voluntary  exclamation  from  Trysail.  The  intimation  that 
came  from  the  cloud  was  not  to  be  disregarded .  The  wind,  which 
had  so  long  varied,  began  to  be  heard  in  the  rigging  of  the 
silent  brigantine ;  and  the  two  elements  exhibited  unequivocal 
evidence,  in  their  menacing  and  fitful  colors,  of  the  near  ap 
proach  of  the  gust.  The  young  sailor,  with  an  absorbing  in 
terest,  turned  his  eyes  on  his  hip.  The  yards  were  on  the  caps, 
the  bellying  canvas  was  fluttering  far  to  leeward,  and  twenty 
or  thirty  human  forms  on  each  spar,  showed  that  the  nimble- 
fingered  topmen  were  gathering  in  and  knotting  the  sails  down 
to  a.  close  reef. 

"  Give  way,  men,  for  your  lives  !  "  cried  the  excited  Lud 
low. 

A  single  dash  of  the  oars  was  heard,  and  the  yawl  was  al 
ready  'twenty  feet  from  the  mysterious  image.  Then  followed 
a  desperate  struggle  to  regain  the  cruiser,  ere  the  gust  should 
strike  her.  The  sullen  murmur  of  the  wind,  rushing  through 
the  rigging  of  the  ship,  was  audible  some  time  before  they 
reached  her  side ;  and  the  struggles  between  the  fabric  and 
the  elements  were  at  moments  so  violent  as  to  cause  the 
young  commander  to  fear  he  would  be  too  late. 

The  foot  of  Ludlow  touched  the  deck  of  the  Coquette  at  th% 
instant  the  weight  of  the  squall  fell  upon  her  sails.  He  no 
longer  thpught  of  any  interest  but  that  of  the  moment ;  with 
all  the  feelings  of  a  seaman,  his  mind  was  now  full  of  his 
ship. 

"Let  run  every  thing  !  "  shouted  the  ready  officer,  in  a 
voice  that  made  itself  heard  above  the  roar  of  the  wincj. 
"Clew  down,  and  hand! — Away  aloft,  you  topmen  ! — laj 
out ! — furl  away  !  " 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  If 3 

These  orders  were  given  in  rapid  succession,  and  without  a 
trumpet,  for  the  young  man  could,  at  need,  speak  loud  as  the 
tempest.  They  were  succeded  by  one  of  those  exciting  and 
fearful  minutes  that  are  so  familiar  to  mariners.  Each  man 
was  intent  on  his  duty,  while  the  elements  worked  their  wiD 
around  him  as  madly  as  if  the  hand  by  which  they  were  or 
dinarily  restrained  was  forever  removed.  The  bay  was  a  sheet 
of  foam,  while  the  rushing  of  the  gust  resembled  dull  rumbling 
of  a  thousand  chariots.  The  ship  yielded  to  the  pressure, 
until  the  water,  was  seen  gushing  through  her  lee-scuppers^ 
and  her  tall  line  of  masts  inclined  toward  the  plane  of  the 
bay,  as  if  the  ends  of  the  yards  were  about  to  dip  into  the 
water.  But  this  was  no  more  than  the  first  submission  to  the 
shock.  The  well-moulded  fabric  recovered  it  balance,  and 
struggled  through  its  element,  as  if  conscious  that  there  was 
security  only  in  motion.  Ludlow  glanced  his  eye  to  leeward. 
The  opening  of  the  cove  was  favorably  situated,  and-  he 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  spars  of  the  brigantine,  rocking 
violently  in  the  squall.  He  spoke  to  demand  if  the  anchors 
were  clea?  ;  then  he  was  heard,  shouting  again  from  his  station 
in  the  weather-gang-way : 

"  Hard  a-weather  ! — " 

The  first  efforts  of  the  cruiser  to  obey  her  helm,  stripped  as 
she  was  of  canvas,  were  labored  and  slow,  But  when  her 
head  began  to  fall  off,  the  driving  scud  was  scarce  swifter  than 
her  motion.  At  that  moment,  the  sluices  of  the  cloud  opened, 
and  a  torrent  of  rain  mingled  in  the  uproar,  and  added  to 
the  confusion.  Nothing  was  now  visible  but  the  lines  of 
the  falling  water,  and  the  sheet  of  white  foam  through  which 
the  ship  was  glancing. 

"Here  is  the  land,  sir  !  "  bellowed  Trysail,  from  a  cat 
head,  where  he  stood  resembling  some  venerable  sea-god,  drip 
ping  with  his  native  element.  "  We  are  passing  it,  like  a 
race-horse !  " 

"  See  your  bowers  clear  !  "  shouted  back  the  captain. 

"  Ready,  sir,  ready — " 

Ludlow  motioned  to  the  men  at  the  wheel  to  bring  the  ship 
to  the  wind  ;  and,  when  her  way  was  sufficiently  deadeneol/ 
two  ponderous  anchors  dropped,  at  another  signal,  into  trie 
water.  The  vast  fabric  was  not  checked  without  a  further  and 
tremendous  struggle.  When  the  bows  felt  the  restraint,  the 
ship  swung  head  to  wind,  and  fathom  after  fathom  of  the  enor 
mous  ropes  was  extracted,  by  surges  so  violent  as  to  cause  the 
hull  to  quiver  to  its  centre.  But  the  first-lieutenant  and  Try 


174  THE    WATERWITCH. 

sail  were  no  novices  in  their  duty,  and  in  less  than  a  miijtffe 
they  had  secured  the  vessel  steadily  at  her  anchors.  When- 
this  important  service  was  performed,  officers  and  crew  stood 
looking  at  each  other,  like  men  who  had  just  made  a  hazard 
ous  and  fearful  experiment.  The  view  again  opened,  and 
objects  on  the  land  became  visible  through  the  still  falling 
rain.  The  change  was  like  that  from  night  today.  Men  who 
had  passed  their  lives  on  the.  sea  drew  long  and  relieving 
breaths,  conscious  that  the  danger  was  happily  passed.  As 
the  more  pressing  interest  of  their  own  situation  abated,  they 
remembered  the  object  of  their  search.  All  eyes  were  turned 
in  quest  of  the  smuggler;  but,  by  some  inexplicable  means, 
ae  had  disappeared. 

"  The  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  "  and  "  What  has  become  oi 
:he  brigantine?"  were  exclamations  that  the  discipline  of  a 
'oyal  cruiser  could  not  repress.  They  were  repeated  by  a  hun 
dred  mouths,  while  twice  as  many  eyes  sought  to  find  the 
oeautiful  fabric.  All  looked  in  vain.  The  spot  where  the 
Water-Witch  had  so  lately  lain  was  vacant,  and  no  vestige  of 
her  wreck  lined  the  shores  of  the  cove.  During  the  time  the 
ship  was  handing  her  sails,  and  preparing  to  enter  the  cove, 
no  one  had  leisure  to  look  for  the  stranger  ;  and  after  the  vessel 
had  anchored,  until  that  moment,  it  was  not  possible  to  see 
her  length  on  any  side  of  them.  There  was  still  a  dense  mass 
of  falling  water  moving  seaward  ;  but  the  curious  and  anxious 
eyes  of  Ludlow  made  fruitless  efforts  to  penetrate  its  secrets. 
Once,  indeed,  more  than  an  hou**  after  the  gust  had  reached 
bis  own  ship,  and  when  the  ocean  in  the  offing  was  clear  and 
calm,  he  thought  he  could  distinguish,  far  to  seaward,  the 
delicate  tracery  of  a  vessel's  spars,  drawn  against  the  horizon, 
without  any  canvas  set.  But  a  second  look  did  not  assure  him 
of  the  truth  of  the  conjecture. 

There  were  many  extraordinary  tales  related  that  night,  on 
hoard  her  Britannic  majesty's  ship  Coquette.  The  boatswain 
affirmed  that,  while  piping  below  in  order  to  overhaul  the 
cables,  he  had  heard  a  screaming  in  the  air,  that  sounded  as  if 
a  hundred  devils  were  mocking  him,  and  which  he  told  the 
gunner,  in  confidence,  he  believed  was  no  more  than  the  wind 
ing  of  a  call  on  board  the  brigantine,  who  had  taken  occasion, 
when  other  vessels  were  glad  to  anchor,  to  get  under  way,  irr 
her  own  fashion.  There  was  also  a  foretop-man  named  Robert 
Yarn,  a  fellow'  whose  faculty  for  story-telling  equalled  that  of 
Scheherazade,  and  who  not  only  asserted,  but  who  confirmed 
the  declaration  by  many  strange  oaths,  that  while  be  lay  OF 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  175 

the  lec-foretop-sail-yard-arm,  stretching  forth  an  arm  to  grasp 
the  leech  of  the  sail,  a  dark-looking  female  fluttered  over  hig 
head,  and  caused  her  long  hair  to  whisk  into  his  face,  in  a 
manner  that  compelled  him  to  shut  his  eyes,  which  gave  occa 
sion  to  a  smart  reprimand  from  the  reafer  of  the  top.  There 
was  a  feeble  attempt  to  explain  this  assault,  by  the  man  who 
lay  next  to  Yarn,  who  affected  to  think  the  hair  was  no  more 
than  the  end  of  a  gasket  whipping  in  the  wind  ;  but  his  ship 
mate,  who  had  pulled  one  of  the  oars  of  the  yawl,  soon  silenced 
this  explanation,  by  the  virtue  of  his  long-established  reputa 
tion  for  veracity.  Even  Trysail  ventured  several  mysterious 
conjectures  concerning  the  fate  of  the  brigantine,  in  the  gun 
room  ;  but,  on  returning  from  the  duty  of  sounding  the  inlet, 
whither  he  had  been  sent  by  his  captain,  he  was  less  communi 
cative  and  more  thoughtful  than  usual.  It  appeared,  indeed, 
from  the  surprise  that  was  manifested  by  every  officer  that 
heard  the  report  of  the  quartermaster,  who  had  given  the  casts 
of  the  lead  on  this  service,  that  no  one  in  the  ship,  with  the 
exception  of  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  was  at  all  aware  that 
there  was  rather  more  than  two  fathoms  of  water  in  that  secret 
passage. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

«  Sirs,  take  your  places,  and  be  vigilant." 

HENRY  IV. 

THE  succeeding  day  was  one  in  which  the  weather  had  a 
fixed  character.  The  wind  was  east,  and,  though  light,  not 
fluctuating.  The  air  had  that  thick  and  hazy  appearance 
which  properly  belongs  to  the  autumn  in  this  climate,  but 
which  is  sometimes  seen  at  midsummer,  when  a  dry  wind 
blows  from  the  ocean.  The  roll  of  the  surf  on  the  shore  was 
regular  and  monotonous,  and  the  currents  of  the  air  were  so 
steady  as  to  remove  every  apprehension  of  a  change.  The 
moment  to  which  the  action  of  the  tale  is  transferred  was  in 
the  earlier  hours  of  the  afternoon. 

At  that  time  the  Coquette  lay  again  at  her  anchors,  just 
within  the  shelter  of  the  cape.  There  were  a  few  small  sails  to 
be  seen  passing  up  the  bay ;  but  the  scene,  as  was  common  at 
that  distant  day,  presented 'little  of  the  activity  of  our  own 
times.  The  windows  of  the  Lust  in  Rust  were  again  open,  and 


THE    WATER-WITCH 

Ihe  movement  of  the  slaves  in  and  about  the  villa  announced 
the  presence  of  its  master 

The  alderman  was  in  truth,  at  the  hour  named,  pacing  the 
little  lawn  in  front  of  la  Cour  des  Fees,  accompanied  by  Oloff 
Van  Staats  and  the  commander  of  the  cruiser  It  was  evident, 
by  the  frequent  glances  which  the  latter  threw  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  pavilion,  that  he  still  thought  of  her  who  was 
absent  ;  while  the  faculties  of  the  two  others  were  either  in  bet 
ter  subjection,  or  less  stimulated  by  anxiety,,  One  who  under 
stood  the  character  of  the  individual,  and  who  was  acquainted 
with  the  past,  might  have  suspected,  by  this  indifference  on 
the  part  of  the  patroon,  placed  as  it  was  in  such  a  singular  con 
trast  to  a  sort  of  mysterious  animation  which  enlivened  a 
countenance  whose  ordinary  expression  was  placid  content, 
that  the  young  suitor  thought  less  than  formerly  of  the  assets 
of  old  Etienne,  and  more  of  the  secret  pleasure  he  found  in 
the  singular  incidents  of  which  he  had  been  a  witness. 

ts  Propriety  and  discretion  !"  observed  the  burgher,  in  reply 
•  G  a  remark  of  one  of  the  young  men—  "  I  say  again  for  the 
twentieth  time,  that  we  shall  have  Alida  Barberie  back  among 
us  as  handsome,  as  innocent,  ay,  and  as  rich  as  ever  —  perhaps 
I  should  also  say,  -as  wilful  !  A  baggage  —  to  worry  her  old 
uncle,  and  two  honorable  suitors,  in  so  thoughtless  a  manner  ! 
Circumstances,  gentlemen,"  continued  the  wary  merchant, 
who  saw  that  the  value  of  the  hand  of  which  he  had  to  dispose, 
was  somewhat  reduced  in  the  market,  "  have  placed  you  on  a 
footing  in  my  esteem.  Should  my  niece,  after  all,  prefer 
Captain  Ludlow  for  a  partner,  in  her  worldly  affairs,  why  it 
should  not  weaken  friendship  between  the  son  of  old  Stephanus 
Van  Staats  and  Myndert  Van  Beverout.  Our  grandmothers 
were  cousins,  and  there  should  be  charities  in  the  same  blood." 

"  I  could  not  wish  to  press  my  suit,'1  returned  the  patroon, 

when  the  lady  has  given  so  direct  a  hint  that  it  is  disagreea- 


. 

"  Hint  me  no  hints  I  Do  you  call  this  caprice  of  a  moment^ 

this  trifling,  as  the  captain  here  would  call  it,  with  the  winds 
and  tides,  a  hint  ?  The  girl  has  Norman  blood  in  her  veins, 
and  she  wishes  to  put  animation  into  the  courtship.  If  bar 
gains  were  to  be  interrupted  by  a  little  cheapening  of  the 
buyer,  and  some  affectation  of  waiting  for  a  better  market  in 
the  seller,  her  majesty  might  as  well  order  her  custom-houses 
to  be  closed  at  once,  and  look  to  other  sources  for  revenue. 
Let  the  girl's  fancy  have  its  swing,  and  the  profits  of  a  year's 
peltry  against  thy  jent-roll,  we  shall  see  her  penitent  for  bei 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  If? 

folly,  Jnd  willing  to  hear  reason.     My  sister's  daughter 
witch  to  go  journeying  forever  about  the  world  on  a 
stick !  " 

"  There  is  a  tradition  in  our  family,"  said  Oloff  Van  Staats, 
his  eye  lighting  with  a  mysterious  excitement,  while  he 
affected  to  laugh  at  the  folly  he  uttered,  "that  the  great 
Poughkeepsie  fortune-teller  foretold  in  the  presence  of  my  grand 
mother,  that  a  Patroon  of  Kinderhook  should  intermarry  with 
a  witch.  So,  should  I  see  la  belle  in  the  position  you  name, 
it  would  not  greatly  alarm  me." 

"  The  prophecy  was  fulfilled  at  the  wedding  of  thy  father  !  " 
muttered  Myndert,  who,  notwithstanding  the  outward  levity 
with  which  he  treated  the  subject,  was  not  entirely  free  from 
secret  reverence  for  the  provincial  soothsayers,  some  of  whom 
continued  in  high  repute,  even  to  the  close  of  the  last  century,, 
"  His  son  would  not  else  have  been  so  clever  a  youth  !— But 
here  is  Captain  Ludlow  looking  at  the  ocean  as  if  he  expected 
to  see  my  niece  rise  out  of  the  water  in  the  shape  of  a  mer 
maid." 

The  commander  of  the  Coquette  pointed  to  the  object  which 
attracted  his  gaze,  and  which,  appearing  as  it  did  at  that 
moment,  was  certainly  not  of  a  nature  to  lessen  the  faith  of 
either  of  his  companions  in  supernatural  agencies. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  wind  was  dry  and  vhe  air  misty,  or 
rather  so  pregnant  with  a  thin  haze,  as  to  give  it  the  appear 
ance  of  a  dull,  smoky  light.  In  such  a  state  of  the  weather, 
the  eye,  more  especially  of  one  placed  on  an  elevation,  is  un 
able  to  distinguish  what  is  termed  the  visible  horizon  at  sea. 
The  two  -elements  become  so  blended,  that  our  organs  cannot 
tell  where  the  water  ends,  or  where  the  void  of  the  heavens 
commences.  It  is  a  consequence  of  this  indistinctness  that  any 
object  seen  beyond  the  apparent  boundary  of  water,  has  the 
appearance  of  floating  in  the  air.  It  is  rare  for  the  organs  of  a 
landsman  to  penetrate  beyond  the  apparent  limits  of  the  sea, 
when  the  atmosphere  exhibits  this  peculiarity,  though  the  prac 
tised  eye  of  a  mariner  often  detects  vessels  which  are  hid  from 
others,  merely  because  they  are  not  sought  in  the  proper  place. 
The  deception  may  also  be  aided  by  a  slight  degree  of  refrac 
tion. 

"  Here,"  said  Ludlow,  pointing  in  a  line  that  would  have 
Struck  the  water  some  two  or  three  leagues  in  the  offing. 
"  First  bring  the  chimney  of  yonder  low  building  on  the  plain 
in  a  range  with  the  dead  oak  on  the  shore,  and  tfien  raise  ycmf 
eyes  slowly,  till  they  strike  a  sail*' 

13 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"  Thatihip  is  navigating  the  heavens  !  "  exclaimed  Myndert. 
J*  Thy  grandmother  was  a  sensible  woman,  patroon  ;  she  waa 
a  cousin  of  my  pious  progenitor,  and  there  is  no  knowing  what 
two  clever  old  ladies  in.  their  time  may  have  heard  and  seen, 
when  such  sights  as  this  are  beheld  in  our  own  !  " 

"  I  am  as  little  disposed  as  another  to  put  faith  in  incredible 
things,"  gravely  returned  Oloff  Van  Staats ;  "and  yet,  if  re 
quired  to  give  my  testimony,  I  should  be  leluctant  to  say  that 
yonder  vessel  is  not  floating  in  the  heavens  ! " 

"  You  might  not  give  it  to  that  effect  in  safety,"  said  Lud 
low.  "It  is  no  other  than  a  half-rigged  brigantine  on  a  taut 
bowline,  though  she  bears  no  great  show  of  canvas. — Mr 
Van  Beverout,  her  majesty's  cruiser  is  about  to  put  to  sea." 

Myndert  heard  this  declaration  in  visible  dissatisfaction. 
He  spoke  of  the  virtue  of  patience,  and  of  the  comforts  of 
the  solid  ground  ;  but  when  he  found  the  intention  of  the 
queen's  servant  was  not  to  be  shaken,  he  reluctantly  professed 
an  intention  of  repeating  the  personal  experiment  of  the  pre 
ceding  day.  Accordingly,  within  half  an  hour  the  whole 
party  were  on  the  banks  of  the  Shrewsbury,  and  about  to  em 
bark  in  the  barge  of  the  Coquette. 

"  Adieu,  Monsieur  Francois,"  said  the  alderman,  nodding 
his  head  to  the  ancient  valet,  who  stood  with  a  disconsolate 
air  on  the  shore.  "  Have  a  care  of  the  movables  in  la  Cour 
des  Fees ;  we  have  further  use  for  them." 

"  Mais,  Monsieur  Beevre,  mon  devoir  et  ma  foi,  suppose  la 
mer  was  plus  agreable,  mon  d£sir  shall  be  to  suivre  Mam'selle 
Alida.  Jamais  personne  de  la  famille  Barbe"rie  love  de  sea  ; 
mais,  monsieur,  comment  faire  ?  I  shall  die  sur  la  mer  de 
douleur;  and  shall  die  d'ennui,  to  rester  ici  bien  sur  !  " 

"Come,  then,  faithful  Francois,"  said  Ludlow.  ''You 
shall  follow  your  young  mistress ;  and  perhaps  on  further  trial 
you  may  be  disposed  to  think  the  lives  of  us  seamen  more 
tolerable  than  you  had  believed." 

After  an  eloquent  expression  of  countenance,  in  which  the 
secretly  amused  though  grave-looking  boat's  crew  thought  the 
old  man  was  about  to  give  a  specimen  of  his  powers  of  an 
ticipation,  the  affectionate  domestic  entered  the  barge.  Lud 
low  felt  for  his  distress,  and  encouraged  him  by  a  look  of 
approbation.  The  language  of  kindness  does  not  always  need 
a  tongue ;  and  the  conscience  of  the  valet  smote  him  with  the 
idea  that  he  might  have  expressed  himself  too  strongly  con 
cerning  a  profession  to  which  the  other  had  devoted  life  and 
hopes, 


THE    WATERW2TCH.  179 

"La  mer,  Monsieur  le  Capitaine,"  he  said,  with  an  ac 
knowledging  reverence,  "est  un  vaste  theatre  de  la  gloire. 
Voila  Messieurs  de  Tourville  et  Dougay  Trouin ;  ce  sont  des 
hommes  vraiment  remarquables  !  mais,  monsieur,  quant  a  tout 
la  famille  de  Barberie,  we  nave  toujours  un  sentiment  plus 
favorable  pour  la  terre." 

"I  wish  your  whimsical  jade  of  a  mistress,  Master  Fran 
cois,  had  found  the  same  sentiment,"  dryly  observed  Myndert; 
"  for,  let  me  tell  you,  this  cruising  about  in  a  suspicious  ves 
sel  is  as  little  creditable  to  her  judgment  as — cheer  up,  patroon, 
the  girl  is  only  putting  thy  metal  to  the  trial,  and  the  sea- 
air  will  do  no  damage  to  her  complexion  or  her  pocket. — A 
little  predilection  for  salt-water  must  raise  the  girl  in  your  esti 
mation,  Captain  Ludlow?  " 

"  If  the  predilection  goes  no  further  than  the  element,  sir,'* 
was  the  caustic  answer.  "  But,  deluded  or  not,  erring  or  de 
ceived,  Alida  Barberie  is  not  to  be  deserted,  the  victim  of  a 
villain's  arts.  I  did  love  your  niece,  Mr.  Van  Beverout,  and 
— pull  with  a  will,  men ;  fellows,  are  you  sleeping  on  the 
oars?" 

The  sudden  manner  in  which  the  young  man/interrupted 
himself,  and  the  depth  of  tone  in  which  he  spoke  to  the 
boat's  crew,  put  an  end  to  the  discourse.  It  was  apparent 
that  he  wished  to  say  no  more,  and  that  he  even  regretted 
the  weakness  which  had  induced  him  to  say  so  much.  The 
remainder  of  the  distance  between  the  s^ore  and  the  ship  was 
passed  in  silence. 

When  Queen  Anne's  cruiser  was  seen  doubling  Sandy  Hook, 
past  meridian  on  the  6th  June  (sea-time)  in  the  17 — ,  the 
^wind,  as  stated  in  an  ancient  journal,  which  was  kept  by  one 
of  the  midshipmen,  and  is  still  in  existence,  was  light,  steady 
at  south  and  by  west-half-west.  It  appears,  by  the  same  docu 
ment,  that  the  vessel  took  her  departure  at  seven  o'clock,  r% 
M.,  the  point  of  Sandy  Hook,  bearing  west-half-south,  distant 
three  leagues.  On  the  same  page  which  contains  these  partic 
ulars,  it  is  observed  under  the  head  of  remarks  :  "  Ship  under 
starboard  steering  sails,  forward  and  aft,  making  six  knots, 
A  suspicious  half-rigged  brigantine  lying-to  in  the  eastern 
board,  under  her  mainsail,  with  fore-topsail  to  the  mast; 
light  and  lofty  sails  and  jib  loose:  foresail  in  the  brails. 
Her  starboard  steering  sail-booms  appear  to  be  rigged  out,  and 
the  gear  rove,  ready  for  a  run.  This  vessel  is  supposed  to 
be  the  celebrated  hermaphrodite  Water- Witch,  commanded  b| 
the  notorious,  'Skimmer  of  the  Seas,'  and  the  same 


180  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

who  gave  us  so  queer  a  slip  yesterday.  The  Lord  send  us  a 
capful  of  wind,  and  we'll  try  his  heels,  before  morning  U- 
Passengers,  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  of  the  second  ward  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  in  her  majesty's  province  of  the  same  name; 
OloffVan  Staats,  Esq.,  commonly  called  the  Patroon  of  Kin- 
derhook,  of  the  same  colony ;  and  a  qualmish-looking  old 
chap,  in  a  sort  of  marine's  jacket,  who  answers  when  hailed  a* 
Francis.  A  rum  set  taken  altogether,  though  they  seem  tc 
suit  the  captain's  fancy.  Mem. — Each  lipper  of  a  wave  works 
like  tartar-emetic  on  the  lad  in  marine  gear." 

As  no  description  of  ours  can  give  a  more  graphic  account 
of  the  position  of  the  two  vessels  in  question ,  at  the  time 
named,  than  that  which  is  contained  in  the  foregoing  ex 
tract,  we  shall  take  up  the  narrative  at  that  moment,  which  the 
reader  will  see  must,  in  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude,  and  in 
the  month  of  June,  have  been  shortly  after  the  close  of  the 
day. 

The  young  votary  of  Neptune,  whose  opinions  have  just 
been  quoted,  had  indeed  presumed  on  his  knowledge  of  the 
localities,  in  affirming  the  distance  and  position  of  the  cape> 
since  the  low  sandy  point  was  no  longer  visible  from  the  deck. 
The  sun  had  set,  as  seen  from  the  vessel,  precisely  in  the 
mouth  of  the  Raritan  \  and  the  shadows  from  Navesink,  or 
Neversink,  as  the  hills  are  vulgarly  called,  were  thrown  far 
upon  the  sea.  In  short,  the  night  was  gathering  round  the 
mariners,  with  every  appearance  of  settled  and  mild  weather, 
but  of  a  darkness  deeper  than  is  common  on  the  ocean, 
Under  such  circumstances,  the  great  object  was  to  keep  on 
the  track  of  the  chase,  during  the  time  when  she  must 
necessarily  be  hid  from  their  sight 

Ludlow  walked  into  the  lee-gangway  of  his  ship,  and,  lean 
ing  with  his  elbow  on  the  empty  hammock-cloths,  he  gazed 
long  in  silence  at  the  object  of  his  pursuit.  The  Water-Witch 
was  lying  in  the  quarter  of  the  horizon  most  favorable  to  being 
seen.  The  twilight,  which  still  fell  out  of  the  heavens,  was 
without  glare  in  that  direction ;  and,  for  the  first  time  that 
day,  he  saw  her  in  her  true  proportions.  The  admiration  of 
a  seaman  was  blended  with  the  other  sensations  of  the  young 
man.  The  brigantine  lay  in  the  position  that  exhibited  her 
exquisitely-  moulded  hull  and  rakish  rig  to  the  most  advantage. 
The  head,  having  come  to  the  wind,  was  turned  toward  her 
pursuer ;  and  as  the  bows  rose  on  some  swell  that  was  heavier 
Shan  common,  Ludlow  saw,  or  fancied  he  saw,,  the  mysterious 
image  still  perched  on  her  cuiwater,  holding  the  tool  tQ  tL* 


THE    WATER-WITCfl.  l8l 

curious,  and  ever  pointing  with  its  finger  across  the  waste  ot 
water.  A  movement  of  the  hammock-cloths  Caused  the  young 
sailor  to  bend  his  head  aside,  and  he  then  saw  that  the  mas 
ter  had  drawn  as  near  his  person  as  discipline  would  warrant. 
Ludlow  had  a  great  respect  for  the  professional  attainments 
that  his  inferior  unquestionably  possessed;  and  he  was  not 
without  some  consideration  for  the  changes  of  a  fortune,  which 
had  not  done  much  to  reward  the  privations  and  the  services 
of  a  seaman  old  enough  to  be  his  father.  The  recollection  of 
thttse  facts  always  disposed  him  to  be  indulgent  to  a  man  who 
had  little  beyond  his  searo^iviike  character  and  long  experi 
ence  to  recommend  him. 

"  We  are  likely  to  have  a  thick  night,  Master  Trysail,*'  said 
the  young  captain,  without  deeming  it  necessary  to  change  his 
look,  "  and  we  may  yet  be  brought  on  a  bowline,  before  yon 
der  insolent  is  overhauled." 

The  master  smiled,  like  one  who  knew  more  than  he  ex 
pressed,  and  gravely  shook  his  head. 

1 '  We  may  have  many  pulls  on  our  bowlines,  and  some 
squaring  of  yards,  too,  before  the  Coquette"  (the  figure-head 
of  the  sloop-of-war  was  also  a  female)  "  gets  near  enough  to 
the  dark-faced  woman,  under  the  bowsprit  of  the  brigantine, 
to  whisper  her  mind.  You  and  I  have  been  nigh  enough  to 
see  the  white  of  her  eyes,  and  to  count  the  teeth  she  shows,  in 
that  cunning  grin  of  hers — and  what  good  has  come  of  our 
visit?  I  am  but  a  subordinate,  Captain  Ludlow,  and  I  know 
my  duty  too  well  not  to  be  silent  in  a  squall,  and  I  hope  too 
well  not  to  know  how  to  speak  when  my  commander  wishes 
che  opinions  of  his  officers  at  a  council ;  and  therefore  mine, 
just  now,  is  perhaps  different  from  that  of  some  others  in  this 
ship,  that  I  will  not  name,  who  are  good  men,  too,  though 
none  of  the  oldest." 

"And  what  is  thy  opinion,  Trysail?  The  ship  is  doing 
well,  and  she  carries  her  canvas  bravely.'* 

"The  ship  behaves  like  a  well-bred  young  woman  in  the 
presence  of  the  queen  ;  modest,  but  stately — but  of  what  use  is 
canvas,  in  a  chase  where  witchraft  breeds  squalls  and  shortens- 
sails  in  one  vessel,  while  it  gives  flying  kites  to  another?  If 
her  majesty,  God  bless  her  !  should  be  ever  persuaded  to  do  so 
silly  a  thing  as  to  give  old  Tom  Trysail  a  ship,  and  the  said 
ship  lay,  just  hereaway,  where  the  Coquette  is  now  getting 
along  so  cleverly,  why  then,  as  in  duty  bound,  I  know 
very  well  what  her  commander  woulH  ^ — " 

"Which  would  be— " 


1 82  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

il  To,  in  all  studding-sails,  and  bring  the  vessel  on  the 
wind." 

"  That  would  be  to  carry  you  to  the  southward,  while  the 
chase  lies  here  in  the  eastern  board  !  " 

"  Who  can  say  how  long  she  will  lie  there  ?  They  told  us, 
in  York,  that  there  was  a  Frenchman,  of  our  burden  and 
metal,  rummaging  about  among  the  fishermen,  lower  down  on 
the  coast.  Now,  sir,  no  man  knows  that  the  war  is  half  over 
better  than  myself,  for  not  a  ha'penny  of  prize-money  has 
warmed  my  pocket  these  three  years ;  but,  as  I  was  saying,  if 
a  Frenchman  will  come  off  his  ground,  and  will  run  his  ship 
into  troubled  water,  why — whose  fault  is  it  but  his  own?  A 
pretty  affair  might  be  made  out  of  such  a  mistake,  Captain 
Ludlow  ;  whereas  running  after  yonder  brigantine  is  flapping 
out  the  queen's  canvas  for  nothing.  The  vessel's  bottom  will 
want  new  sheating  in  my  opinion,  before  you  catch  him." 

"I  know  not,  Trysail,"  returned  his  captain,  glancing  an 
eye  aloft ;  "  every  thing  draws,  and  the  ship  never  went  along 
with  less  trouble  to  herself.  We  shall  not  know  which  has  the 
longest  legs,  till  the  trial  is  made." 

"  You  may  judge  of  the  rogue's  speed  by  his  impudence. 
There  he  lies,  waiting  for  us,  like  a  line-of-battle  ship  lying-to 
for  an  enemy  to  come  down.  Though  a  man  of  some  experi 
ence  in  my  way,  I  have  never  seen  a  lord's  son  more  sure  of 
promotion  than  that  same  brigantine  seems  to  be  of  his  heels  ! 
If  this  old  Frenchman  goes  on  with  his  faces  much  longer,  he 
will  turn  himself  inside-out,  and  then  we  shall  get  an  honest 
look  at  him,  for  these  fellows  never  carry  their  true  characters 
above-board,  like  a  fair-dealing  Englishman. — Well,  sir,  as  I 
was  remarking,  yon  rover,  if  rover  he  be,  has  more  faith  in  his 
canvas  than  in  the  Church.  I  make  no  doubt,  Captain  Lud 
low,  that  the  brigantine  went  through  the  inlet  while  we  were 
handling  our  topsails  yesterday  ;  for  I  am  none  of  those  who 
are  in  a  hurry  to  give  credit  to  any  will-o'-the-wisp  tale;  be 
sides  which,  I  sounded  the  passage  with  my  own  hands,  and 
know  the  thing  to  be  possible,  with  the  wind  blowing  heavy 
over  the  taffrail ;  still,  sir,  human  nature  is  human  nature,  and 
what  is  the  oldest  seaman,  after  all,  but  a  man  ?  And  so,  to 
conclude,  I  would  rather  any  day  chase  a  Frenchman,  whose 
disposition  is  known  to  me,  than  have  the  credit  of  making 
traverses,  for  eight-and-forty  hours,  in  the  wake  of  one  of 
these  fliers,  with  little  hope  of  getting  him  within  hail." 

"  You  forget,  Master  Trysail,  that  I  have  been  aboard  the 
chase,  and  know  something  of  his  build  and  character." 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  183 

"They  say  as  much  aboard  here,"  returned  the  old  tar, 
drawing  nearer  to  the  person  of  his  captain,  under  an  impulse 
of  strong  curiosity;  '*  though  none  presume  to  be  acquainted 
with  the  particulars.  I  am  not  one  of  those  who  ask  imperti 
nent  questions,  more  especially  under  her  majesty's  pen  want ; 
for  the  worst  enemy  I  have  will  not  say  I  am  very  womanish. 
One  would  think,  however,  that  there  was  neat  work  on  board 
a  craft  that  is  so  prettily  moulded  about  her  water-lines." 

"  She  is  perfect  as  to  construction,  and  admirable  in  gear." 

"  I  thought  as  much,  by  instinct  !  Her  commander  need 
not,  however,  be  any  the  more  sure  of  keeping  her  off  the 
rocks,  on  that  account.  The  prettiest  young  woman  in  our 
parish  was  wrecked,  as  one  might  say,  on  the  shoals  of  her 
own  good  looks,  having  cruised  once  too  often  in  the  company 
of  the  squire's  son.  A  comely  wench  she  was,  though  she 
luffed  athwart  all  her  old  companions,  when  the  young  lord  of 
the  manor  fell  into  her  wake.  Well,  she  did  bravely  enough, 
sir,  as  long  as  she  could  carry  her  flying  kites, 'and  make  a  fair 
wind  of  it ;  but,  when  the  squall  of  which  I  spoke  overtook 
her,  what  could  she  do  but  keep  away  before  it? — and,  as 
others  who  are  snugger  in  their  morals  hove-to,  as  it  were, 
under  the  storm-sails  of  religion  and  such  matters  as  they  had 
picked  up  in  the  catechism,  she  drifted  to  leeward  of  all 
honest  society  !  A  neatly-built  and  clean -heeled  hussy  was 
that  girl ;  and  I  am  not  certain,  by  any  means,  that  Mrs. 
Trysail  would  this  day  call  herself  the  lady  of  a  queen's 
officer,  had  the  other  known  how  to  carry  sail  in  the  company 
of  her  betters." 

The  worthy  master  drew  a  long  breath,  which  possibly  was 
a  nautical  sigh,  but  which  certainly  had  more  of  the  north 
wind  than  of  the  zephyr  in  its  breathing ;  and  he  had  recourse 
to  the  little  box  of  iron,  whence  he  usually  drew  consolation. 

"I  have  heard  of  this  accident  before,"  returned  Ludlow, 
who  had  sailed  as  a  midshipman  in  the  same  vessel  with,  and 
indeed  as  a  subordinate  to,  his  present  inferior.  "  ?>ut,  from 
all  accounts,  you  have  little  reason  to  regret  the  change,  as  I 
hear  the  best  character  of  your  present  worthy  partner." 

"  No  doubt,  sir,  no  doubt.  I  defy  any  man  in  the  ship  to 
say  that  I  am  a  backbiter,  even  against  my  wife,  with  whom  I 
have  a  sort  of  lawful  right  to  deal  candidly.  I  make  no  com 
plaints,  and  am  a  happy  man  at  sea,  and  I  piously  hope  Mrs. 
Trysail  knows  how  to  submit  to  her  duty  at  home. — I  suppose 
yon  see,  sir,  that  the  chase  has  hauled  his  yards,  and  is  getting 
his  fore-tack  aboard?"  Ludlow,  whose  eye  did  not  often  turn 


184  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

from  the  brigantine,  nodded  assent;  and  the  master,  having 
satisfied  himself,  by  actual  inspection,  that  every  sail  in  the 
Coquette  did  its  duty,  continued  :  "  The  night  is  coming  on 
thick,  and  we  shall  have  occasion  for  all  our  eyes  to  keep  the 
rogue  in  view,  when  he  begins  to  change  his  bearings — but,  as 
I  was  saying,  if  the  commander  of  yonder  half-rig  is  too  vain 
of  her  good  looks,  he  may  yet  wreck  her  in  his  pride  !  The 
rogue  has  a  desperate  character  as  a  smuggler,  though,  for  my 
own  part,  I  cannot  say  that  I  look  on  such  men  with  as  un 
favorable  an  eye  as  some  others.  This  business  of  trade  seems 
to  be  a  sort  of  chase  between  one  man's  wits  and  another 
man's  wits,  and  the  dullest  goer  must  be  content  to  fall  to 
leeward.  When  it  comes  to  be  a  question  of  revenue,  why,  he 
who  goes  free  is  lucky,  and  he  who  is  caught,  a  prize.  I  have 
known  a  flag-officer  look  the  other  way,  Captain  Ludlow, 
when  his  own  effects  were  passing  duty-free;  and,  as  to  your 
admiral's  lady,  she  is  a  great  patroness  of  the  contraband.  I 
do  not  deny,  sir,  that  a  smuggler  must  be  caught,  and,  when 
caught,  condemned,  afte*  which  there  must  be  a  fair  distribu 
tion  among  the  captors ;  but  all  that  I  mean  to  say  is,  that 
there  are  worse  men  in  *1ie  world  than  your  British  smuggler — 
such,  for  instance,  as  your  Frenchman,  your  Dutchman,  or 
your  Don." 

<'  These  are  heterodox  opinions  for  a  queen's  servant,"  said 
Ludlow,  as  much  inclined  to  smile  as  to  frown. 

' '  I  hope  I  know,  my  duty  too  well  to  preach  them  to  the 
ship's  company,  but  a  man  may  say  that,  in  a  philosophical 
way,  before  his  captain,  that  he  would  not  let  run  into  a  mid 
shipman's  ear.  Though  no  lawyer,  I  know  what  is  meant  by 
swearing  a  witness  to  the  truth  and  nothing  but  the  truth.  I 
wish  the  queen  got  the  last,  God  bless  her  !  several  worn-out 
ships  would  then  be  broken  up,  and  better  vessels  sent  to  sea 
in  their  places.  But,  sir,  speaking  in  a  religious  point  of 
view,  what  is  the  difference  between  passing  in  a  trunk  of 
finery,  with  a  duchess's  name  on,.the  brass  plate,  or  in  passing 
in  gin  enough  to  fill  a  cutter's  hold  ?  " 

"  One  would  think  a  man  of  your  years,  Mr.  Trysail,  would 
see  the  difference  between  robbing  the  revenue  of  a  guinea 
and  robbing  it  of  a  thousand  pounds." 

"  Which  is  just  the  difference  between  retail  and  wholesale 
— and  that  is  no  trifle,  I  admit,  Captain  Ludlow,  in  a  commer 
cial  country,  especially  in  genteel  life.  Still,  sir,  revenue  is 
the  country's  right,  and  therefore  I  allow  a  smuggler  to  be  a 
bad  man,  only  not  so  bad  as  those  I  have  just  named,  partic- 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  185 

tilarly  your  Dutchman  !  The  queen  is  right  to  make  those 
rogues  lower  their  flags  to  her  in  the  narrow  seas,  which  are 
her  lawful  property;  because  England,  being  a  wealthy  island, 
and  Holland  no  more  than  a  bit  of  bog  turned  up  to  dry,  it  is 
reasonable  that  we  should  have  the  command  afloat.  No,  sir, 
though  none  of  your  out-criers  against  a  man  because  he  has 
had  luck  in  a  chase  with  a  revenue-cutter,  I  hope  I  know  what 
the  natural  rights  of  an  Englishman  are.  We  must  be 
masters,  here,  Captain  Ludlow  will-ye-nill-ye,  and  look  to  the 
main  chances  of  trade  and  manufactures!  " 

' '  I  had  not  thought  you  so  accomplished  a  statesman, 
Master  Trysail !  " 

"Though  a  poor  man's  son,  Captain  Ludlow,  I  am  a  free- 
born  Briton,  and  my  education  has  not  been  entirely  over 
looked.  I  hope  I  know  something  of  the  constitution,  as  well 
as  my  betters.  Justice\xand  honor  being  an  Englishman's 
mottoes,  we  must  look  manfully  to  the  main  chance.  We  are 
none  of  your  nighty  talkers,  but  a  reasoning  people,  and  there 
is  no  want  of  deep  thinkers  on  the  little  island  ;  and  therefore, 
sir,  taking  all  together,  why  England  must  stick  up  for  her 
rights  !  Here  is  your  Dutchman,  for  instance,  a  ravenous 
cormorant ;  a  fellow  with  a  throat  wide  enough  to  swallow  all 
the  gold  of  the  Great  Mogul,  if  he  could  get  at  it ;  and  yet  a 
vagabond  who  has  not  even  a  fair  footing  on  the  earth,  if  the 
truth  must  be  spoken  !  Well,  sir,  shall  England  give  up  her 
rights  to  a  nation  of  such  blackguards  ?  No,  sir,  our  venerable 
constitution  and  mother  Church  itself  forbid,  and  therefore,  I 
say,  dam'me,  lay  them  aboard,  if  they  refuse  us  any  of  our 
natural  rights,  or  show  a  wish  to  bring  us  down  to  their  own 
dirty  level !  " 

"Reasoned  like  a  countryman  of  Newton,  and  with  an 
eloquence  that  would  do  credit  to  Cicero  !  I  shall  endeavor  to 
digest  your  ideas  at  my  leisure,  since  they  are  much  too  solid 
food  to  be  disposed  of  in  a  minute.  At  present  we  will  look 
to  the  chase,  for  I  see,  by  the  aid  of  my  glass,  that  he  has 
set  his  studding-sails,  and  is  beginning  to  draw  ahead." 

This  remark  closed  the  dialogue  between  the  captain  and 
his  subordinate.  The  latter  quitted  the  gangway  with  that 
secret  and  pleasurable  sensation  which  communicates  itself  to 
all  who  have  reason  to  think  they  have  delivered  themselves 
creditably  of  a  train  of  profound  thought. 

It  was,  in  truth,  time  to  lend  every  faculty  to  the  move 
ments  of  the  brigantine ;  for  there  was  great  reason  to  appre 
hend  that,  by  changing  her  direction  in  the  darkness,  she 


186  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

might  elude  them.  The  night  was  fast  closing  on  the 
Coquette,  and  at  each  moment  the  horizon  narrowed  around 
her,  so  that  it  was  only  at  uncertain  intervals  the  men  aloft 
could  distinguish  the  position  of  the  chase.  While  the  two 
vessels  were  thus  situated,  Ludlow  joined  his  guests  on  the 
quarter-deck. 

"  A  wise  man  will  trust  to  his  wits,  what  cannot  be  done  by 
force,"  said  the  alderman.  "I  do  not  pretend  to  be  much  of 
a  mariner,  Captain  Ludlow,  though  I  once  spent  a  week  in 
London,  and  I  have  crossed  the  ocean  seven  times  to  Rotter 
dam.  We  did  little  in  our  passages,  by  striving  to  force 
Nature.  When  the  nights  came  in  dark,  as  at  present,  the 
honest  schippers  were  content  to  wait  for  better  times ;  by 
which  means  we  were  sure  not  to  miss  our  road,  and  of  finally 
arriving  at  the  destined  port  in  safety." 

"You saw  that  the  brigantine  was  opening  his  canvas,  when 
last  seen  ;  and  he  that  would  move  fast  must  have  recourse  to 
his  sails." 

"  One  never  knows  what  may  be  brewing,  up  there  in  the 
heave-ns,  when  the  eye  cannot  see  the  color  of  a  cloud.  I 
have  little  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the  '  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas,'  beyond  that  which  common  fame  gives  him  ;  but, 
in  the  poor  judgment  of  a  landsman,  we  should  do  better  by 
showing  lanterns  in  different  parts  of  the  ship,  lest  some  home 
ward-bound  vessel  do  us  an  injury,  and  waiting  until  the 
morning  for  further  movements." 

"  We  are  spared  the  trouble,  for,  look,  the  insolent  has  set 
a  light  himself,  as  if  to  invite  us  to  follow  !  This  temerity 
exceeds  belief  !  To  dare  to  trifle  thus  with  one  of  the  swiftest 
cruisers  in  the  English  fleet  !  See  that  every  thing  draws, 
gentlemen,  and  take  a  pull  at  all  the  sheets.  Hail  the  tops, 
sir,  and  make  sure  that  every  thing  is  home." 

The  order  was  succeeded  by  the  voice  of  the  officer  of  the 
watch,  who  inquired,  as  directed,  if  each  sail  was  distended  to 
the  utmost.  Force  was  applied  to  some  of  the  ropes,  and  then 
a  general  quiet  succeeded  to  the  momentary  activity. 

The  brigantine  had  indeed  showed  a  light,  as  if  in  the 
mockery  of  the  attempt  of  the  royal  cruiser.  Though  secretly 
stung  by  this  open  contempt  of  their  speed,  the  officers  of  the 
Coquette  found  themselves  relieved  from  a  painful  and  anxious 
duty.  Before  this  beacon  was  seen,  they  were  obliged  to  ex 
ert  their  senses  to  the  utmost,  in  order  to  get  occasional 
glimpses  of  the  position  of  the  chase ;  while  they  now  steered 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  187 

j*  confidence  for  the  brilliant  little  spot  that  was  gently  rising 
and  falling  with  the  waves." 

"  I  think  we  near  him,"  half  whispered  the  eager  captain  : 
*•  see,  there  is  some  design  visible  on  the  sides  of  the  lantern. 
Hold  ! — Ah  !  'tis  the  face  of  a  woman,  as  I  live  !  " 

"The  men  of  the  yawl  report  that  the  rover  shows  this 
symbol  in  many  parts  of  his  vessel,  and  we  know  he  had  the 
impudence  to  set  it  yesterday  in  our  presence,  even  on  his 
ensign." 

"  True— true;  take  you  the  glass,  Mr.  Luff,  and  tell  me  if 
there  be  not  a  woman's  face  sketched  in  front  of  that  light — 
we  certainly  near  him  fast — let  there  be  silence,  fore  and  aft 
the  ship.  The  rogues  mistake  our  bearings  !  " 

"A  saucy-looking  jade,  as  one  might  wish  to  see  !  "  re 
turned  the  lieutenant.  "  Her  impudent  laugh  is  visible  to  the 
naked  eye." 

'  *  See  all  clear  for  laying  him  aboard  !  Get  a  party  to  throw 
on  his  decks,  sir  !  I  will  lead  them  myself." 

These  orders  were  given  in  an  under-tone,  and  rapidly. 
They  were  promptly  obeyed.  In  the  mean  time,  the  Coquette 
continued  to  glide  gently  ahead,  her  sails  thickening  with  the 
dew,  and  every  breath  of  the  heavy  air  acting  with  increased 
power  on  their  surfaces.  The  boarders  were  stationed,  orders 
were  given  for  the  most  profound  silence,  and,  as  the  ship 
drew  nearer  to  the  light,  even  the  officers  were  commanded  not 
to  stir.  Ludlow  stationed  himself  in  the  mizzen  channels,  to 
con  the  ship ;  and  his  directions  were  repeated  to  the  quarter 
master  in  a  loud  whisper. 

"  The  night  is  so  dark,  we  are  certainly  unseen  !  "  observed 
the  young  man  to  his  second  in  command,  who  stood  at  his 
elbow.  "They  have  unaccountably  mistaken  our  position. 
Observe  how  the  face  of  the  painting  becomes  more  distinct ; 
one  can  see  even  the  curls  of  the  hair. — Luff,  sir,  luff — we 
will  run  him  aboard  on  his  weather-quarter." 

"The  fool  must  be  lying-to  !  "  returned  the  lieutenant. 
"  Even  your  witches  fail  of  common-sense  at  times  !  Do  you 
see  which  way  he  has  his  head,  sir?  " 

"  I  see  nothing  but  the  light.  It  is  so  dark  that  our  own 
sails  are  scarcely  visible ;  yet  I  think  here  are  his  yards,  a  little 
forward  of  our  lee  beam." 

"  'Tis  our  own  lower  boom.  I  got  it  out  in  readiness  foi 
the  other  tack,  in  case  the  knave  should  wear.  Are  we  not 
running  too  full  ?  " 

' '  Luff  you  may,  a  little — luff,  or  we  shall  crush  him  !  " 


188  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

As  this  order  was  given,  Ludlow  passed  swiftly  forward 
He  found  the  boarders  ready  for  a  spring,  and  he  rapidly  gave 
his  orders.  The  men  were  told  to  carry  the  brigantine  at 
every  hazard,  but  not  to  offer  violence,  unless  serious  resistance 
was  made.  They  were  thrice  enjoined  not  to  enter  the  cabins, 
and  the  young  man  expressed  a  generous  wish  that,  in  every 
case,  the  ' '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  ' '  might  be  taken  alive.  By 
the  time  these  directions  were  given,  the  light  was  so  near  that 
the  malign  countenance  of  the  sea-green  lady  was  seen  in 
every  lineament.  Ludlow  looked  in  vain  for  the  spars,  in 
order  to  ascertain  in  which  direction  the  head  of  the  brigan 
tine  lay;  but,  trusting  to  luck,  he  saw  that  the  decisive 
moment  was  come. 

"  Starboard,  and  run  him  aboard! — Away  there,  you 
boarders,  away  !  Heave  with  your  grapnels ;  heave,  men,  with 
a  long  swing,  heave  ! — Meet  her,  with  the  helm — hard  down 
— meet  her — steady  !  " — was  shouted  in  a  clear,  full,  and 
steady  voice  that  seemed  to  deepen  at  each  mandate  which 
issued  from  the  lips  of  the  young  captain. 

The  boarders  cheered  heartily,  and  leaped  into  the  rigging. 
The  Coquette  readily  and  rapidly  yielded  to  the  power  of  hei 
rudder.  First  inclining  to  the  light,  and  then  sweeping  up 
toward  the  wind  again,  in  another  instant  she  was  close  upon 
the  chase.  The  irons  were  thrown,  the  men  once  more 
shouted,  and  all  on  board  held  their  breathes  in  expectation  ot 
the  crash  of  the  meeting  hulls.  At  that  moment  of  high  ex 
citement,  the  woman's  face  rose  a  short  distance  in  the  air, 
seemed  to  smile  in  derision  of  their  attempt,  and  suddenly 
disappeared.  The  ship  passed  steadily  ahead,  while  no  noise 
but  the  sullen  wash  of  the  waters  was  audible.  The  board 
ing  irons  were  heard  falling  heavily  into  the  sea;  and  the 
Coquette  rapidly  overran  the  spot  where  the  light  had  been 
seen,  without  sustaining  any  shock.  Though  the  clouds  lifted 
a  little,  and  the  eye  might  embrace  a  circuit  of  a  few  hun 
dred  feet,  there  certainly  was  nothing  to  be  seen  within  its 
range,  but  the  unquiet  element,  and  the  stately  cruiser  of 
Queen  Anne  floating  on  its  bosom. 

Though  its  effects  were  different  on  the  differently-consti 
tuted  minds  of  those  who  witnessed  the  singular  incident,  the 
disappointment  was  general.  The  common  impression  was 
certainly  unfavorable  to  the  earthly  character  of  the  brig 
antine ;  and,  when  opinions  of  this  nature  once  got  posses 
sion  of  the  ignorant,  they  are  not  easily  removed.  Even  Try- 
sail,  though  experienced  in  th^  arts  of  those  who  trifle  with 


THE   WATER-WITCH*  l8g 

the  revenue-laws,  was  much  inclined  to  believe  that  this  was 
no  vulgar  case  of  floating  lights  or  false  beacons,  but  a  mani 
festation  that  others,  besides  those  who  had  been  regularly 
trained  to  the  sea,  were  occasionally  to  be  found  on  the 
waters.  If  Captain  Ludlow  thought  differently,  he  saw  no 
sufficient  reason  to  enter  into  an  explanation  with  those  who 
were  bound  silently  to  obey.  He  paced  the  quarter-deck  for 
many  minutes ;  then  issued  his  orders  to  the  equally-disap 
pointed  lieutenants.  The  light  canvas  of  the  Coquette  was 
taken  in,  the  studding-sail-gear  unrove,  and  the  booms 
secured.  The  ship  was  brought  to  the  wind,  and,  her  courses 
having  been  hauled  up,  the  foretop-sail  was  thrown  to  the 
mast.  In  this  position  the  cruiser  lay,  waiting  for  the  morn 
ing  light,  in  order  to  give  greater  certainty  to  her  move* 
merits. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 


« I,  John  Turner, 
Am  master  and  owner 
Of  a  high-decked  schooner, 
That's  bound  to  Carlina— M 
etc.,  etc.,  etc.,  etc, 

COASTING-SONO, 

IT  is  necessary  to  say,  with  how  much  interest  Alderman 
Van  Beverout,  and  his  friend  the  patroon,  witnessed  all  the 
proceedings  on  board  the  Coquette.  Something  very  like  an 
exclamation  of  pleasure  escaped  the  former,  when  it  was 
known  that  the  ship  had  missed  the  brigantine,  and  that  there 
was  now  little  probability  of  overtaking  her  that  night. 

"  Of  what  use  is  it  to  chase  your  fire-flies  about  the  ocean, 
patroon  :  "  muttered  the  alderman,  in  the  ear  of  Oloff  Van 
Staats.  ' '  I  have  no  further  knowledge  of  this  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas,  than  is  decent  in  the  principal  of  a  commercial 
house — but  reputation  is  like  a  sky-rocket,  that  may  be  seen 
from  afar  !  Her  majesty  has  no  ship  that  can  overtake  the 
free-trader,  and  why  fatigue  the  innocent  vessel  for  noth 
ing?" 

' 'Captain  Ludlow  has  other  desires  than  the  mere  capture 
of  the  brigantine,"  returned  the  laconic  and  sententious 
patroon.  "  The  opinion  that  Alida  de  Barbaric  is  in  her,  has 
great  influence  with  that  gentleman." 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"This  is  strange  apathy,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  in  one  who  is  as 
£ood  as  engaged  to  my  niece,  if  he  be  not  actually  married. 
alida  Barberie  has  great  influence  with  that  gentleman  !  And 
pray,  with  whom  that  knows  her,  has  she  not  influence  ?  " 

"  The  sentiment  in  favor  of  the  young  lady,  in  general,  is 


"Sentiment  and  favor!  Am  I  to  understand,  sir,  by  this 
-coolness,  that  our  bargain  is  broken  ?  —  that  the  two  fortunes 
*re  not  to  be  brought  together,  and  that  the  lady  is  not  to  be 
your  wife?  " 

"  Harkee,  Mr.  Van  Beverout;  one  who  is  saving  of  his  in 
come  and  sparing  of  his  words  can  have  no  pressing  necessity 
^'or  the  money  of  others  ;  and,  on  occasion,  he  may  afford  to 
;;peak  plainly.  Your  niece  has  shown  so  decided  a  preference 
*br  another  that  it  has  materially  lessened  the  liveliness  of  my 
*egard." 

"  It  were  a  pity  that  so  much  animation  should  fail  of  its 
object  !  It  would  be  a  sort  of  stoppage  in  the  affairs  of 
Cupid  !  Men  should  deal  candidly  in  all  business  trans 
actions,  Mr.  Van  Staats  :;  and  you  will  permit  me  to  ask,  as 
for  a  final  settlement,  if  your  mind  is  changed  in  regard 
to  the  daughter  of  Old  Etienne  de  Barberie,  or  not  ?  " 

"Not  changed,  but  quite  decided,"  returned  the  young 
patroon.  "I  cannot  say  that  I  wish  the  successor  of  my 
mother  to  have  seen  so  much  of  the  world.  We  are  a  family 
that  is  content  with  our  situation,  and  new  customs  would  de 
range  my  household." 

"  I  am  no  wizard,  sir  ;  but,  for  the  benefit  of  a  son  of  my 
old  friend  Stephanus  Van  Staats,  I  will  venture,  for  once,  on  a 
prophecy.  You  will  marry,  Mr.  Van  Staats  —  yes,  marry  —  and 
you  will  wive,  sir,  with  —  prudence  prevents  me  from  saying 
with  whom  you  will  wive;  but  you  may  account  yourself  a 
lucky  man  if  it  be  not  with  one  who  will  cause  you  to  forget 
house  and  home,  lands  and  friends,  manors  and  rents,  and  in 
short  all  the  solid  comforts  of  life.  It  would  not  surprise  mo 
to  hear  that  the  prediction  of  the  Poughkeepsie  fortune-teller 
should  be  fulfilled  !  " 

"  And  what  is  your  real  opinion,  Alderman  Van  Beverout, 
of  the  different  mysterious  events  we  have  witnessed?  "  de 
manded  the  patroon,  in  a  manner  to  prove  that  the  interest  he 
took  in  the  subject  completely  smothered  any  displeasure  he 
might  otherwise  have  felt  at  so  harsh  a  prophecy.  "  This  sea- 
green  lady  is  no  common  woman  ?  " 

"Sea-green    and   sky-blue  1"    interrupted     the    impatient 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  191 

(burgher.  "The  hussy  is  but  too  common,  sir;  and  there  is 
the  calamity.  Had  she  been  satisfied  with  transacting  her  con 
cerns  in  a  snug  and  reasonable  manner,  and  to  have  gone 
upon  the  high-seas  again,  we  should  have  had  none  of  this 
foolery  to  disturb  accounts  which  ought  to  have  been  con 
sidered  settled.  Mr.  Van  Staats,  will  you  allow  me  to  ask  a 
few  direct  questions,  if  you  can  find  leisure  for  their  an- 
<wer?" 

The  patroon  nodded  his  head  in  the  affirmative. 

"What  do  you  suppose,  sir,  to  have  become  of  my 
niece?'1 

"  Eloped." 

"  And  with  whom?  " 

Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook  stretched  an  arm  toward  the  open 
ocean,  and  again  nodded.  The  alderman  mused  a  moment ; 
then  he  chuckled,  as  if  some  amusing  idea  had  got  the  better 
of  his  ill-humor. 

"Come,  come,  patroon,"  he  said  in  his  wonted  amicable 
tone,  when  addressing  the  lord  of  a  hundred  thousand  acres, 
•"  this  business  is  like  a  complicated  account,  a  little  difficult 
fill  one  gets  acquainted  with  the  books,  when  all  becomes 
plain  as  your  hand.  There  were  referees  in  the  settlement  of 
;he  estate  ot  Kobus  Van  Klinck,  whom  I  will  not  name  ;  but 
what  between  the  handwriting  of  the  old  grocer,  and  some  in- 
iccuracy  in  the  figures,  they  had  but  a  blind  time  of  it  until 
they  discovered  which  way  the  balance  ought  to  come;  then 
by  working  backward  and  forward,  which  is  the  true  spirit  of 
your  just  referee,  they  got  all  straight  in  the  end.  Kobus  was 
not  very  lucid  in  his  statements,  and  he  was  a  little  apt  to  be 
careless  of  ink.  His  ledger  might  be  called  a  book  of  the 
olack  art ;  for  it  was  little  else  than  fly-tracks  and  blots,  though 
the  last  were  found  of  great  assistance  in  rendering  the  state 
ments  satisfactory.  By  calling  three  of  the  biggest  of  them 
sugar-hogsheads,  a  very  fair  balance  was  struck  between  him 
and  a  peddling  Yankee  who  wa*  breeding  trouble  for  the 
estate;  and  I  challenge,  even  at  ihis  distant  day,  when  all 
near  interest  in  the  results  may  be  said  to  sleep,  any  respon 
sible  man  to  say  that  they  did  not  look  as  much  like  those 
articles  as  any  thing  else.  Something  they  must  have  been, 
and,  as  Kobus  dealt  largely  in  sugar,  there  was  also  a  strong 
moral  probability  that  they  were  the  said  hogsheads.  Come, 
corne.  patroon  ;  we  shall  have  the  jade  black  again  in  propel 
time.  Thy  ardor  gets  the  better  of  reason  ;  but  this  is  the  way 
with  true  love,  which  is  none  the  worse  for  a  litHe  delay, 


19*  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

Alida  is  not  one  to  balk  thy  merriment;  these  Norman 
wenches  are  not  heavy  of  foot  at  a  dance,  or  apt  to  go  to  sleep 
when  the  fiddles  are  stirring  !  " 

With  this  consolation,  Alderman  Van  Beverout  saw  fit  to 
close  the  dialogue,  for  the  moment.  How  far  he  succeeded 
in  bringing  back  the  mind  of  the  patroon  to  its  allegiance,  the 
result  must  show ;  though  we  shall  take  this  occasion  to  ob 
serve  again  that  the  young  proprietor  found  a  satisfaction  in  the 
excitement  of  the  present  scene,  that,  in  the  course  of  a  short 
and  little  diversified  life,  he  had  never  before  experienced. 

While  others  slept,  Ludlow  passed  most  of  the  night  on 
deck.  He  laid  himself  down  in  the  hammock-cloths,  for  an 
hour  or  two,  as  the  night  wore  one ;  though  the  wind  did  not 
sigh  through  the  rigging  louder  than  common,  without  arous 
ing  him  from  his  slumbers.  At  each  low  call  of  the  officer  of 
the  watch  to  the  crew,  his  head  was  raised  to  glance  around 
the  narrow  horizon  ;  and  the  ship  never  rolled  heavily,  without 
causing  him  to  awake.  He  believed  that  the  brigantine  was 
near,  and,  for  the  first  watch,  he  was  not  without  expectation 
that  the  two  vessels  might  unexpectedly  meet  in  the  obscurity. 
When  this  hope  failed,  the  young  seaman  had  recourse  to 
artifice  in  his  turn,  in  order  to  entrap  one  who  appeared  so 
practised  and  so  expert  in  the  devices  of  the  sea. 

About  midnight,  when  the  watches  were  changed,  and  the 
whole  crew,  with  the  exception  of  the  idlers,  were  on  deck, 
orders  were  give  to  hoist  out  the  boats.  This  operation,  one 
of  exceeding  toil  and  difficulty  in  lightly-manned  ships,  was 
»oon  performed  on  board  the  queen's  cruiser,  by  the  aid  of 
card  and  stay-tackles,  to  which  the  force  of  a  hundred  seamen 
vas  applied.  When  four  of  these  little  attendants  on  the  ship 
vere  in  the  water,  they  were  entered  by  their  crews,  prepared 
br  service.  Officers  on  whom  Ludlow  could  rely,  were  put  in 
:ommand  of  the  three  smallest,  while  he  took  charge  of  the 
fourth  in  person.  When  all  were  ready,  and  each  inferior  had 
received  his  special  instructions,  they  quitted  the  side  of  the 
?essel,  pulling  off  in  diverging  lines  in  the  gloom  of  the  ocean. 
'The  boat  of  Ludlow  had  not  gone  fifty  fathoms  before  he  was 
perfectly  conscious  of  theinutilitv  of  a  chase;  for  the  obscurity 
of  the  night  was  so  great  as  to  render  the  spars  of  his  own  ship 
nearly  indistinct  even  at  that  short  distance.  After  pulling  by 
compass  some  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  in  a  direction  that  carried 
him  to  windward  of  the  Coquette,  the  young  man  commanded 
the  crew  to  cease  rowing,  and  prepared  himself  to  await 
patiently  for  the  result  of  his  undertaking. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  *9f 

There  was  nothing  to  vary  the  monotony  of  such  a  scene  for 
an  hour,  but  the  regular  rolling  of  a  sea  that  was  but  little 
agitated,  a  few  occasional  strokes  of  the  oars  that  were  given  in 
order  to  keep  the  barge  in  its  place,  or  the  heavy  breathing  of 
some  smaller  fish  of  the  cetaceous  kind,  as  it  rose  to  the  sur 
face  to  inhale  the  atmosphere.  In  no  quarter  of  the  heavens 
war  anything  visible ;  not  even  a  star  was  peeping  out  to 
cheer  the  solitude  and  silence  of  that  solitary  place.  The  men 
were  nodding  on  the  thwarts,  and  our  young  sailor  was  about 
to  relinquish  his  design  as  fruitless,  when  suddenly  a  noise 
was  heard  at  no  great  distance  from  the  spot  where  they  lay. 
It  was  one  of  those  sounds  which  would  have  been  inexplicable 
to  any  but  a  seaman,  but  which  conveyed  a  meaning  to  the 
ears  of  Ludlow,  as  plain  as  that  which  could  be  imparted  by 
speech  to  a  landsman.  A  moaning  creak  was  followed  by  the 
low  rumbling  of  a  rope,  as  it  rubbed  on  some  hard  or  distended 
substance;  then  succeeded  the  heavy  flap  of  canvas,  that, 
yielding  first  to  a  powerful  impulse,  was  suddenly  checked, 

"  Hear  ye  that?"  exclaimed  Ludlow,  a  little  above  a 
whisper.  "  Tis  the  brigantine  gybing  his  mainboom  !  Give 
way,  men — see  all  ready  to  lay  him  aboard  !  " 

The  crew  started  from  their  slumbers ;  the  plash  of  oars 
was  heard,  and  in  the  succeeding  moment  the  sails  of  a  vessel 
gliding  through  the  obscurity,  nearly  across  their  course*  were 
visible. 

"Now  spring  to  your  oars,  men!"  continued  Ludlow, 
with  the  eagerness  of  one  engaged  in  chase.  "  We  have  him 
to  advantage,  and  he  is  ours  ! — a  long  pull  and  a  strong  pull — 
steadily,  boys,  and  together  !  " 

The  practised  crew  did  their  duty.  It  seemed  but  a  mo 
ment  before  they  were  close  upon  the  chase. 

•'  Another  stroke  of  the  oars  and  she  is  ours  !  "  cried  Lud 
low.  "  Grapple ! — to  your  arms  ! — away,  boarders,  away  !  " 

These  orders  came  on  the  ears  of  the  mem  with  the  effect  of 
martial  blasts.  The  crew  shouted,  the  clashing  of  arms  was 
heard,  and  the  tramp  of  feet  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel  an 
nounced  the  success  of  the  enterprise.  A  minute  of  extreme 
activity  and  of  noisy  confusion  followed.  The  cheers  of  the 
boarders  had  been  heard  at  a  distance  ;  and  rockets  shot  into 
the  air  from  the  other  boats,  whose  crews  answered  the  shouts 
with  manful  lungs.  The  whole  ocean  appeared  in  a  mo 
mentary  glow,  and  ;•"„<•  roar  of  a  gun  from  the  Coquette  added 
to  the  fracas.  The  ship  set  several  lanterns,  in  order  to  indi- 


194  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

cate  her  position ;  while  blue-lights  and  other  marine  signals 
were  constantly  burning  in  the  approaching  boats,  as  if  those 
who  guided  them  were  anxious  to  intimidate  the  assailed  by  a 
show  of  numbers. 

In  the  midst  of  this  scene  of  sudden  awakening  from  the 
most  profound  quiet,  Ludlow  began  to  look  about  him,  in 
order  to  secure  the  principal  objects  of  the  capture.  He  had 
repeated  his  orders  about  entering  the  cabins,  and  concerning 
the  person  of  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,"  among  the  other  in 
structions  given  to  the  crews  of  the  different  boats ;  and  the  in- 
stant  they  found  themselves  in  quiet  possession  of  the  prize, 
the  young  man  dashed  into  the  private  recesses  of  the  vessel, 
with  a  heart  that  throbbed  even  more  violently  than  during  the 
ardor  of  boarding.  To  cast  open  the  door  of  a  cabin  beneath 
the  high  quarter-deck,  and  to  descend  to  the  level  of  its  floor, 
were  the  acts  of  a  moment.  But  disappointment  and  mortifica 
tion  succeeded  to  triumph.  A  second  glance  was  not  neces 
sary  to  show  that  the  coarse  work  and  foul  smells  he  saw  and 
encountered,  did  not  belong*  to  the  commodious  and  even 
elegant  accommodations  of  the  brigantine. 

"  Here  is  no  Water-Witch  !  "  he  exclaimed  aloud,  under  the 
impulse  of  sudden  surprise. 

"God  be  praised  !  "  returned  a  voice,  which  was  succeeded 
by  a  frightened  face  from  out  a  state-room.  "  We  were  told 
the  rover  was  in  the  offing,  and  thought  the  yells  could  come 
from  nothing  human  !  " 

The  blood  which  had  been  rushing  through  the  arteries  and 
veins  of  Ludlow  so  tumultuously,  now  crept  into  his  cheeks, 
and  was  felt  tingling  at  his  fingers'  ends.  He  gave  a  hurried 
order  to  his  men  to  reenter  their  boats,  leaving  every  thing  as 
they  found  it.  A  short  conference  between  the  commander  of 
her  majesty's  ship  Coquette  and  the  seaman  of  the  state-room, 
succeeded  ;  then  the  former  hastened  on  deck,  whence  his 
oassage  into  the  barge  occupied  but  a  moment.  The  boat 
pulled  away  from  the  fancied  prize  amid  a  silence  that  was  un* 
interrupted  by  any  other  sound  than  that  of  a  song,  which,  to 
all  appearance,  came  from  one  who  by  this  time  had  placed 
himself  at  the  vessel's  helm.  All  that  can  be  said  of  the 
music  is,  that  it  was  suited  to  the  words,  and  all  that  could  be 
heard  of  the  latter  was  a  portion  of  a  verse,  if  verse  it  might 
be  called,  which  had  exercised  the  talents  of  some  thoroughly 
nautical  mind.  As  we  depend  for  the  accuracy  of  the  quota 
tion  altogether  on  the  fidelity  of  the  journal  of  the  midship 
man  already  named,  it  is  possible  that  some  injustice  may  be 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  195 

done  the  writer ;  but,  according  to  that  document,  he  sang  a 
strain  of  the  coasting-song  which  we  have  prefixed  to  this 
chapter  as  its  motto* 

The  papers  of  the  coaster  did  not  give  a  more  detailed  de 
scription  of  her  character  and  pursuits  than  that  which  is  con 
tained  in  this  verse.  It  is  certain  that  the  log-book  of  the 
Coquette  was  far  less  explicit.  The  latter  merely  said  that  "  a 
coaster  called  the  Stately  Pine,  John  Turner,  master,  bound 
from  New  York  to  the  Province  of  North  Carolina,  was  boarded 
at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  all  well."  But  this  description 
was  not  of  a  nature  to  satisfy  the  seamen  of  the  cruiser.  Those 
who  had  been  actually  engaged  in  the  expedition  were  much 
too  excited  to  see  things  in  their  true  colors ;  and,  coupled 
with  the  two  previous  escapes  of  the  Water- Witch,'  the  event 
just  related  had  no  small  share  in  confirming  their  former 
opinions  concerning  her  character.  The  sailing-master  was 
not  now  alone  m  believing  that  all  pursuit  of  the  brigantine 
was  useless. 

But  these  were  conclusions  that  the  people  of  the  Coquette 
made  at  their  leisure,  rather  than  those  which  suggested  them 
selves  on  the  instant.  The  boats,  led  by  the  flashes  of  light, 
had  joined  each  other,  and  were  rowing  fast  toward  the  ship 
before  the  pulses  of  the  actors  beat  with  sufficient  calmness  to 
admit  of  reflection  ;  nor  was  it  until  the  adventurers  were  be 
low,  and  in  their  hammocks,  that  they  found  suitable  occasion 
to  relate  what  had  occurred  to  a  wondering  auditory.  Robert 
Yarn,  the  foretop-mail  who  had  felt  the  locks  of  the  sea-green 
lady  blowing  in  his  face  during  the  squall,  took  advantage  of 
the  circumstance  to  dilate  on  his  experiences;  and,  after 
having  advanced  certain  positions  that  particularly  favored  his 
own  theories,  he  produced  one  of  the  crew  of  the  barge  who 
stood  ready  to  affirm,  in  any  court  in  Christendom,  that  he 
actually  saw  the  process  of  changing  the  beautiful  and  grace 
ful  lines  that  distinguished  the  hull  of  the  smuggler  into  the 
coarser  and  more  clumsy  model  of  the  coaster. 

te  There  are  know-nothings,"  continued  Robert,  after  he  had 
fortified  his  position  by  the  testimony  in  question,  "  who  would 
deny  that  the  water  of  the  ocean  is  blue,  because  the  stream 
that  turns  the  parish  mill  happens  to  be  muddy.  But  your 
real  mariner,  who  has  lived  much  in  foreign  parts,  is  a  man 
who  understands  the  philosophy  of  life,  and  knows  when  to 
believe  the  truth  and  when  to  scorn  a  lie.  As  for  a  vessel 
changing  her  character  when  hard  pushed  in  a  chase,  there 
are  many  instances  •  though,  having  one  so  near  us,  there  wat 


196  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

less  necessity  to  be  roving  over  distant  seas  in  search  of  a  case 
to  prove  it.  My  own  opinion  concerning  this  here  brigantine 
is  much  as  follows — that  is  to  say,  I  do  suppose  there  was  once 
a  real  living  hermaphrodite  of  her  build  and  rig  ;  and  that  she 
might  be  employed  in  some  such  trade  as  this  craft  is  thought 
to  be  in ;  and  that,  in  some  unlucky  hour,  she  and  her  people 
met  with  a  mishap  that  has  condemned  her  ever  since  to  appear 
on  this  coast  at  stated  times.  She  has,  however,  a  natural  dis 
like  to  a  royal  cruiser ;  and,  no  doubt,  the  thing  is  now  sailed 
by  those  who  have  little  need  of  compass  or  observation  !  All 
this  being  true,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  when  the  boat's-crew 
got  on  her  decks,  they  found  her  different  from  what  they  ex 
pected.  This  much  is  certain,  that  when  I  lay  within  a  boat- 
hook's  length  of  her  spritsail-yard-arm,  she  was  a  half-rig, 
with  a  woman  figure-head,  and  as  pretty  a  show  of  gear  aloft 
as  eye  ever  looked  upon ;  while  every  thing  below  was  as  snug 
as  a  tobacco-box  with  the  lid  down ;  and  here  you  all  say  that 
she  is  a  high-decked  schooner,  with  nothing  ship-shape  about 
her  !  What  more  is  wanting  to  prove  the  truth  of  what  has 
been  stated? — if  any  man  can  gainsay  it,  let  him  speak." 

As  no  man  did  gainsay  it,  it  is  presumed  that  the  reasoning 
of  the  topman  gained  many  proselytes.  It  is  scarcely  neces 
sary  to  add,  how  much  of  mystery  and  fearful  interest  was 
thrown  around  the  redoubtable  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,"  by 
the  whole  transaction. 

There  was  a  different  feeling  on  the  quarter-deck.  The  two 
lieutenants  put  their  heads  together  and  looked  grave  ;  while 
one  or  two  of  the  midshipmen,  who  had  been  in  the  boats, 
were  observed  to  whisper  with  their  messmates,  and  to  indulge 
in  smothered  laughter.  As  the  captain,  however,  maintained 
his  ordinary  dignified  and  authoritative  mien,  the  merriment 
went  no  further  and  was  soon  repressed. 

While  on  this  subject  it  may  be  proper  to  add  that,  in  course 
of  time,  the  Stately  Pine  reached  the  capes  of  North  Carolina 
in  safety  ;  and  that,  having  effected  her  passage  over  Edenton 
bar  without  striking,  she  ascended  the  river  to  the  point  of  her 
.destination.  Here  the  crew  soon  began  to  throw  out  hints 
relative  to  an  encounter  of  their  schooner  with  a  French  cruiser 
As  the  British  empire,  even  in  its  most  remote  corner,  was  at 
all  times  alive  to  its  nautical  glory,  the  event  soon  became  the 
discourse  in  more  distant  parts  of  the  colony  ;  and,  in  less 
than  six  months,  the  London  journals  contained  a  very  glow 
ing  account  of  an  engagement,  in  which  the  names  of  the 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Stately  Pine,  and  of  John  Turner,  made  some  respectable 
advances  toward  immortality. 

If  Captain  Ludlow  ever  gave  any  further  account  of  the 
transaction  than  what  was  stated  in  the  log-book  of  his  ship, 
the  bienseance  observed  by  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty  pre 
vented  it  from  becoming  public. 

Returning  from  this  digression,  which  has  no  other  connec 
tion  with  the  immediate  thread  of  the  narrative  than  that  which 
arises  from  a  reflected  interest,  we  shall  revert  to  the  further 
proceedings  on  board  the  cruiser. 

When  the  Coquette  hoisted  in  her  boats,  that  portion  of  the 
crew  which  did  not  belong  to  the  watch  was  dismissed  to  their 
hammocks,  the  lights  were  lowered,  and  tranquillity  once  more 
reigned  in  the  ship.  Ludlow  sought  his  rest,  and  although 
there  is  reason  to  think  that  his  slumbers  were  a  little  disturbed 
by  dreams,  he  remained  tolerably  quiet  in  the  hammock-cloths, 
the  place  in  which  it  has  already  been  said  he  saw  fit  to  take 
hij  repose,  until  the  morning  watch  was  called. 

Although  the  utmost  vigilance  was  observed  among  the 
officers  and  lookouts,  during  the  rest  of  the  night,  there  oc 
curred  nothing  to  arouse  the  crew  from  their  usual  recumbent 
attitudes  between  the  guns.  The  wind  continued  light  but 
steady,  the  sea  smooth,  and  the  heavens  clouded,  as  during  the 
first  hours  of  darkness. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

*  The  mouse  ne'er  shunned  the  cat,  as  they  did  budge 
From  rascals  worse  than  they." 

CORIOLANUS. 

DAY  dawned  on  the  Atlantic  with  its  pearly  light,  succeeded 
by  the  usual  flushing  of  the  skies,  and  the  stately  rising  of  the 
sun  from  out  the  water.  The  instant  the  vigilant  officer  who 
commanded  the  morning  watch,  caught  the  first  glimpses  of 
the  returning  brightness,  Ludlow  was  awakened.  A  finger  laid 
on  his  arm  was  sufficient  to  arouse  one  who  slept  with  the  re 
sponsibility  of  his  station  ever  present  to  his  mind.  A  minute 
did  not  pass  before  the  young  man  was  on  the  quarter-deck, 
closely  examining  the  heavens  and  the  horizon.  His  first 
question  was  to  ask  if  nothing  had  been  seen  during  the  watch. 
The  answer  was  in  the  negative. 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"I  like  this  opening  in  the  northwest/*  observed  the  cap 
tain,  after  his  eye  had  thoroughly  scanned  the  whole  of  the 
still  dusky  and  limited  view.  "  Wind  will  come  out  of  it. 
Give  us  a  capful,  and  we  shall  try  the  speed  of  this  boasted 
Water- Witch  ! — Do  I  not  see  a  sail  on  our  weather-beam  ?— or 
is  it  the  crest  of  a  wave?  " 

"  The  sea  is  getting  irregular,  and  I  have  often  been  thus 
deceived,  since  the  light  appeared." 

"  Get  more  sail  on  the  ship.  Here  is  wind  inshore  of  us  ; 
we  will  be  ready  for  it.  See  every  thing  clear  to  show  all  our 
canvas." 

The  lieutenant  received  these  orders  with  the  customary  def 
erence,  and  communicated  them  to  his  inferiors  again,  with  a 
promptitude  that  distinguishes  sea  discipline.  The  Coquette, 
at  the  moment,  was  lying  under  her  three  topsails,  one  of 
which  was  thrown  against  its  mast,  in  a  manner  to  hold  the 
vessel  as  nearly  stationary  as  the  drift  and  the  wash  of  ^he 
waves  would  allow.  So  soon,  however,  as  the  officer  of  the 
watch  summoned  the  people  to  exertion,  the  massive  yards 
were  swung  ;  several  light  sails  that  served  to  balance  the  fab 
ric  as  well  as  to  urge  it  ahead,  were  hoisted  or  opened  ;  and 
the  ship  immediately  began  to  move  through  the  water.  While 
the  men  of  the  watch  were  thus  employed,  the  flapping  of  the 
canvas  announced  the  approach  of  a  new  breeze. 

The  coast  of  North  America  is  liable  to  sudden  and  danger 
ous  transitions  in  the  currents  of  the  air.  It  is  a  circumstance 
of  no  unusual  occurrence  for  a  gale  to  alter  its  direction  with 
so  little  warning  as  greatly  to  jeopard  the  safety  of  a  ship  or 
even  to  overwhelm  her.  It  has  been  often  said,  that  the  cele 
brated  Ville  de  Paris  was  lost  through  one  of  these  violent 
changes,  her  captain  having  inadvertently  hove-to  the  vessel 
under  too  much  after-sail,  a  mistake  by  which  he  lost  the  com 
mand  of  his  ship  during  the  pressing  emergency  that  ensued. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  fact  as  regards  that  ill-fated  prize, 
it  was  certain  that  Ludlow  was  perfectly  aware  of  the  hazards 
that  sometimes  accompany  the  first  blasts  of  a  northwest  wind 
on  his  native  coast,  and  that  he  never  forgot  to  be  prepared  for 
the  danger. 

When  the  wind  from  the  land  struck  the  Coquette,  the 
streak  of  light,  which  announced  the  appearance  of  the  sun, 
had  been  visible  several  minutes.  As  the  broad  sheets  of 
vapor,  that  had  veiled  the  heavens  during  the  prevalence  of 
the  southeasterly  breeze,  were  rolled  up  into  dense  masses  of 
clouds,  like  some  immense  curtain  that  is  withdrawn  from  be' 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  199 

fore  its  scene,  the  water,  no  less  than  the  sky,  became  instantly 
visible  in  every  quarter.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say,  how 
eagerly  the  gaze  of  our  young  seaman  ran  over  the  horizon,  in 
order  to  observe  the  objects  which  might  come  with  in  its 
range.  At  first,  disappointment  was  plainly  painted  in  his 
countenance ;  then  succeeded  the  animated  eye  and  flushed 
cheek  of  success. 

"I  had  thought  her  gone!"  he  said  to  his  immediate 
subordinate  in  authority.  "But  here  she  is,  to  leeward,  just 
within  the  edge  of  that  driving  mist,  and  as  dead  under  our 
lee  as  a  kind  Fortune  could  place  her.  Keep  the  ship  away, 
sir,  and  cover  her  with  canvas,  from  her  trucks  down.  Call 
the  people  from  their  hammocks,  and  show  yon  insolent  what 
her  majesty's  sloop  can  do,  at  need  !  " 

This  command  was  the  commencement  of  a  general  and 
hasty  movement,  in  which  every  seaman  in  the  ship  exerted 
his  powers  to  the  utmost.  All  hands  were  no  sooner  called, 
than  the  depths  of  the  vessel  gave  up  their  tenants,  who,  join 
ing  their  force  to  that  of  the  watch  on  deck,  quickly  covered 
the  spars  of  the  Coquette  with  a  snow-white  cloud.  Not  con 
tent  to  catch  the  breeze  on  such  surfaces  as  the  ordinary  yards 
could  distend,  long  booms  were  thrust  out  over  the  water,  and 
sail  was  set  beyond  sail,  until  the  bending  masts  would  bear 
no  more.  The  low  hull  which  supported  this  towering  and 
complicated  mass  of  ropes,  spars,  and  sails,  yielded  to  the 
powerful  impulse,  and  the  fabric,  which,  in  addition  to  its 
crowd  of  human  beings,  sustained  so  heavy  a  load  of  artillery, 
with  all  its  burden  of  stores  and  ammunition,  began  to  divide 
the  waves  with  the  steady  and  imposing  force  of  a  vast 
momentum.  The  seas  curled  and  broke  against  her  sides,  like 
water  washing  the  rocks,  the  steady  ship  feeling,  as  yet,  no 
impression  from  their  feeble  efforts.  As  the  wind  increased, 
however,  and  the  vessel  went  farther  from  the  land,  the  surface 
of  the  ocean  gradually  grew  more  agitated,  until  the  highlands, 
which  lay  over  the  villa  of  the  Lust  in  Rust,  finally  sank  into 
the  sea  ;  when  the  topgallant-royals  of  the  ship  were  seen  de 
scribing  wide  segments  of  circles  against  the  heavens,  and  her 
dark  sides  occasionally  rose,  from  a  long  and  deep  roll,  glitter 
ing  with  the  element  that  sustained  her. 

When  Ludlow  first  described  the  object  which  he  believed  to 
be  the  chase,  it  seemed  a  motionless  speck  on  the  margin  of 
the  sea.  It  had  now  grown  into  the  magnitude  and  symmetry 
of  the  well-known  brigantine.  Her  slight  and  attenuated  spars 
were  plainly  to  be  seen,  rolling  easily  but  wide,  with  the  con- 


200  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

stant  movement  of  the  hull,  and  with  no  sail  spread,  but  thai 
which  was  necessary  to  keep  the  vessel  in  command  on  the 
billows.  When  the  Coquette  was  just  within  the  range  of  a 
cannon,  the  canvas  began  to  unfold  ;  and  it  was  soon  apparent 
that  the  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  was  preparing  for  flight. 

The  first  manoeuvre  of  the  Water- Witch  was  an  attempt  to 
.gain  the  wind  of  her  pursuer.  A  short  experiment  appeared  to 
satisfy  those  who  governed  the  brigantine  that  the  effort  was 
vain,  while  the,  wind  was  so  fresh,  and  the  water  so  rough. 
She  wore,  and  crowded  sail  on  the  opposite  tack,  in  order  tu 
try  her  speed  with  the  cruiser  ;  nor  was  it  until  the  result  suffi- 
ciently  showed  the  danger  of  permitting  the  other  to  get  any 
nigher  that  she  finally  put  her  helm  aweather  and  ran  off,  like 
a  sea-fowl  resting  on  its  wing,  with  the  wind  over  her  taffrail. 

The  two  vessels  now  presented  the  spectacle  of  a  stern-chase. 
The  brigantine  also  opened  the  folds  of  all  her  sails,  and  there 
arose  a  pyramid  of  canvas  over  the  nearly  imperceptible  hull, 
that  resembled  a  fantastic  cloud  driving  above  the  sea,  with  a 
velocity  that  seemed  to  rival  the  passage  of  the  vapor  that 
floated  in  the  upper  air.  As  equal  skill  directed  the  move 
ments  of  the  two  vessels,  and  the  same  breeze  pressed  upon 
their  sails,  it  was  long  before  there  was  any  perceptible  differ 
ence  in  their  progress.  Hour  passed  after  hour,  and  were  it 
not  for  the  sheets  of  white  foam  that  were  dashed  from  the 
bows  of  the  Coquette,  and  the  manner  in  which  she  even  out 
stripped  the  caps  of  the  combing  waves,  her  commander 
might  have  fancied  his  vessel  ever  in  the  same  spot.  While 
the  ocean  presented,  on  every  side,  the  same  monotonous  arid 
rolling  picture,  there  lay  the  chase,  seemingly  neither  a  foot 
nearer  nor  a  foot  farther  than  when  the  trial  of  speed  began.  A 
dark  line  would  rise  on  the  crest  of  a  wave,  and  then,  sinking 
again,  leave  nothing  visible,  but  the  yielding  and  waving  cloud 
of  canvas  that  danced  along  the  sea. 

' '  I  had  hoped  for  better  things  of  the  ship,  Master  Trysail  !  *' 
said  Ludlow,  who  had  long  been  seated  on  a  knight-head,  at 
tentively  watching  the  progress  of  the  chase.  "  We  are  buried 
to  the  bob-stays ;  yet,  there  yon  fellow  lies,  nothing  plainer 
then  when  he  first  showed  his  studding-sails!  " 

"And  there  he  will  lie,  Captain  Ludlow,  while  the  light 
lasts.  I  have  chased  the  rover  in  the  narrow  seas,  till  the  cliffs 
of  England  melted  away  like  the  cap  of  a  wave  ;  and  we  had 
raised  the  sand-banks  of  Holland  high  as  the  sprit-sail-yard, 
yet  what  good  came  of  it  ?  The  rogue  played  with  us,  as  your 
Sportsman  trifles  with  the  entangled  trout ;  and  when  we 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2OI 

thought  we  had  him,  he  would  shoot  without  the  range  of  our 
guns  with  as  little  exertion  as  a  ship  slides  into  the  water  after 
the  spur  shoars  are  knocked  from  under  her  bows." 

"Ay,  but  the  Druid  had  a  little  of  the  rust  of  antiquity 
about  her.  The  Coquette  has  never  got  a  chase  under  her  lee, 
that  she  did  not  speak." 

"  I  disparaged  no  ship,  sir,  for  character  is  character,  and 
none  should  speak  lightly  of  their  fellow-creatures,  and,  least 
of  all,  of  any  thing  which  follows  the  sea.  I  allow  the  Coquette 
to  be  a  lively  boat  on  a  wind,  and  a  real  scudder  going  large  ; 
but  one  should  know  the  wright  that  fashioned  yonder  brigan- 
tine,  before  he  ventures  to  say  that  any  vessel  in  her  majesty's 
fleet  can  hold  way  with  her,  when  she  is  driven  hard." 

"These  opinions,  trysail,  are  fitter  for  the  tales  of  a  top 
than  for  the  mouth  of  one  who  walks  the  quarter-deck." 

"  I  should  have  lived  to  little  purpose,  Captain  Ludlow,  not 
to  know  that  what  was  philosophy  in  my  young  days  is  not 
philosophy  now.  They  say  the  world  is  round,  which  is  my 
own  opinion — first,  because  the  glorious  Sir  Francis  Drake, 
and  divers  other  Englishmen,  have  gone  in,  as  it  were,  at  one 
«nd,  and  out  at  the  other  ;  no  less  than  several  seamen  of  other 
nations,  to  say  nothing  of  one  Magellan,  who  pretends  to  have 
been  the  first  man  to  make  the  passage,  which  I  take  to  be 
neither  more  nor  less  than  a  Portuguee  lie,  it  being  altogether 
unreasonable  to  suppose  that  a  Portuguee  should  do  what  an 
Englishman  had  not  yet  thought  of  doing  ;  secondly,  if  the 
wcrld  were  not  round,  or  some  such  shape,  why  should  we  see 
the  small  sails  of  a  ship  before  her  courses,  or  why  should  her 
truck  heave  up  into  the  horizon  before  the  hull?  They  say, 
moreover,  that  the  world  turns  round,  which  is  no  doubt  true  ; 
and  it  is  just  as  true  that  its  opinions  turn  round  with  it,  which 
brings  me  to  the  object  of  my  remark — yon  fellow  shows  more  of 
his  broadside,  sir,  than  common  !  He  is  edging  in  for  the  land, 
which  must  lie  here  away,  on  our  larboard  beam,  in  order  to 
get  into  smoother  water.  This  tumbling  about  is  not  favorable 
to  your  light  craft,  let  who  will  build  them." 

"  I  had  hoped  to  drive  him  off  the  coast.  Could  we  get  him 
fairly  into  the  Gulf  Stream,  he  would  be  ours,  for  he  is  too 
low  in  the  water  to  escape  us  in  the  short  seas.  We  must  force 
him  into  blue  water,  though  our  upper  spars  crack  in  the 
struggle  ! — Go  aft,  Mr.  Hopper,  and  tell  the  officer  of  the 
watch  to  bring  the  ship's  head  up,  a  point  and  a  half,  to  the 
northward,  and  to  give  a  slight  pull  on  the  braces." 

"  What  a  mainsail  the  rogue  carries  !  it  is  as  broad  as  th* 


202  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

instructions  of  a  roving  commission  with  a  hoist  like  the  pro 
motion  of  an  admiral's  son  !  How  every  thing  pulls  aboard 
him!  A  thorough-bred  sails  that  brigantine,  let  him  come 
whence  he  may  !  " 

11 1  think  we  near  him  !  The  rough  water  is  helping  us,  and 
we  are  closing.  Steer  small,  fellow  ;  steer  small  !  You  see  the 
color  of  his  mouldings  begins  to  show,  when  he  lifts  on  the 
seas." 

1 '  The  sun  touches  his  side — yet,  Captain  Ludlow,  you  may 
be  right — for  here  is  a  man  in  his  foretop,  plainly  enough  to 
be  seen.  A  shot  or  two,  among  his  spars  and  sails,  might  now 
do  service." 

Ludlow  affected  not  to  hear  ;  but  the  first-lieutenant,  having 
come  on  the  forecastle,  seconded  this  opinion,  by  remarking 
that  their  position  would  indeed  enable  them  to  use  the  chase- 
gun,  without  losing  any  distance.  As  Trysail  sustained  his 
former  assertion  by  truths  that  were  too  obvious  to  be  refuted, 
the  commander  of  the  cruiser  reluctantly  issued  an  order  to- 
clear  away  the  forward  gun,  and  to  shift  it  into  the  bridle-port. 
The  interested  and  attentive  seamen  were  not  long  in  perform 
ing  this  service  ;  and  a  report  was  quickly  made  to  the  captain, 
that  the  piece  was  ready. 

Ludlow  then  descended  from  his  post  on  the  knight-head, 
and  pointed  the  cannon  himself. 

"  Knock  away  the  quoin  entirely,"  he  said  to  the  captain 
of  the  gun,  when  he  had  got  the  range;  "now  mind  her 
when  she  lifts  forward  ;  keep  the  ship  steady,  sir — fire  !  " 

Those  gentlemen  "who  lived  at  home  at  ease, "are  often 
surprised  to  read  of  combats,  in  which  so  much  powder,  and 
hundreds  and  even  thousands  of  shot,  are  expended,  with  so 
little  loss  of  human  life ;  while  a  struggle  on  the  land  of  less 
duration,  and  seemingly  of  less  obstinacy,  shall  sweep  away  a 
multitude.  The  secret  of  the  difference  lies  in  the  uncertainty 
of  aim,  on  an  element  as  restless  as  the  sea.  The  largest  ship 
is  rarely  quite  motionless,  when  on  the  open  ocean  ;  and  it  is 
not  necessary  to  tell  the  reader,  that  the  smallest  variation  in 
the  direction  of  a  gun  at  its  muzzle  becomes  magnified  to  many 
yards  at  the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  feet.  Marine  gunnery 
has  no  little  resemblance  to  the  skill  of  the  fowler  ;  since  a  cal 
culation  for  a  change  in  the  position  of  the  object  must  com 
monly  be  made  in  both  cases,  with  the  additional  embarrass 
ment  on  the  part  of  the  seaman,  of  an  allowance  for  a  compli 
cated  movement  in  the  piece  itself. 

How  far  the  gun  of  the  Coquette  was  subject  to  the  influence 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  203 

of  these  causes,  or  how  far  the  desire  of  her  captain  to  protect 
those  whom  he  believed  to  be  on  board  the  brigantine,  had  an 
effect  on  the  direction  taken  by  its  shot,  will  probably  never  be 
known.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  when  the  stream  of  fire, 
followed  by  its  curling  cloud,  had  gushed  out  upon  the  water, 
fifty  eyes  sought  in  vain  to  trace  the  course  of  the  iron  mes 
senger  among  the,  sails  and  rigging  of  the  Water- Witch.  The 
symmetry  of  her  beautiful  rig  was  undisturbed,  and  the  uncon 
scious  fabric  still  glided  over  the  waves  with  its  customary  ease 
and  velocity.  Ludlow  had  a  reputation  among  bis  crew,  for 
some  skill  in  the  direction  of  a  gun.  The  failure,  therefore,  in 
no  degree  aided  in  changing  the  opinions  of  the  common  men 
concerning  the  character  of  the  chase.  Many  shook  their 
heads,  and  more  than  one  veteran  tar,  as  he  paced  his  narrow 
limits  with  both  hands  thrust  into  the  bosom  of  his  jacket,  was 
heard  to  utter  his  belief  of  the  inefficacy  of  ordinary  shot,  in 
bringing-to  that  brigantine.  It  was  necessary,  however,  to  re 
peat  the  experiment,  for  the  sake  of  appearances.  The  gun 
was  several  times  discharged,  and  always  with  the  same  want 
of  success. 

"  There  is  little  use  in  wasting  our  powder,  at  this  distance, 
and  with  so  heavy  a  sea,"  said  Ludlovv,  quitting  the  cannon, 
after  a  fifth  and  fruitless  essay.  "  I  shall  fire  no  more.  Look 
at  your  sails,  gentlemen,  and  see  that  every  thing  draws.  We 
must  conquer  with  our  heels,  and  let  the  artillery  rest. — 
Secure  the  gun." 

"  The  piece  is  ready,  sir,"  observed  its  captain,  presuming 
on  hi*  known  favor  with  the  commander,  though  he  qualified 
the  boldt>ess  by  taking  off  his  hat,  in  a  sufficiently  respectful 
manner—"  'Tis.a.pity  to  balk  it !  " 

"Fire  it  yourself,  then,  and  return  the  piece  to  its  port," 
carelessly  returned  the  captain,  willing  to  show  that  others 
eould  be  as  unlucky  as  himself. 

The  men  quartered  at  the  gun,  left  alone,  busied  themselves 
in  executing  the  order. 

"  Run  in  the  quoin,  and,  blast  the  brig,  give  her  a  point- 
blanker  \  "  said  the  gruff  old  seaman  who  was  intrusted  with 
a  local  authority  over  that  particular  piece.  "None  of  your 
geometry  calculations  for  me  !  " 

The  crew  obeyed,  and  the  match  was  instantly  applied.  A 
rising  sea,  however,  aided  the  object  of  the  directly- minded 
old  tar,  or  our  narration  of  the  exploits  of  the  piece  would  end 
with  the  discharge,  since  its  shot  would  otherwise  have  inevi 
tably  plunged  into  a  wave  within  a  few  yards  of  its  muzzle. 


204  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

The  bows  of  the  ship  rose  with  the  appearance  of  the  smoke> 
the  usual  brief  expectation  followed,  then  fragments  of  wood 
were  seen  flying  above  the  top-mast-studding-sail-boom  of  the 
brigantine,  which,  at  the  same  time,  flew  forward,  carrying 
with  it,  and  entirely  deranging  the  two  important  sails  that 
depended  on  the  spar  for  support. 

"  So  much  for  plain  sailing  !  "  cried  the  delighted  tar,  slap 
ping  the  breech  of  the  gun  affectionately.  "  Witch  or  no 
witch,  there  go  two  of  her  jackets  at  once  ;  and  by  the  cap- 
ain's  goodwill,  we  shall  shortly  take  off  some  more  of  her 
clothes  !  In  sponge — " 

"  The  order  is  to  run  the  gun  aft,  and  secure  it,"  said  a 
vnerry  midshipman,  leaping  on  the  heel  of  the  bowsprit  to 
gaze  at  the  confusion  on  board  the  chase.  "  The  rogue  is 
nimble  enough  in  saving  his  canvas !  " 

There  was,  in  truth,  necessity  for  exertion,  on  the  part  ot 
those  who  governed  the  movements  of  the  brigantine.  The 
two  sails  that  were  rendered  temporarily  useless,  were  of  great 
importance,  with  the  wind  over  the  taffrail.  The  distance 
between  the  two  vessels  did  not  exceed  a  mile,  and  the  danger 
of  lessening  it  was  too  obvious  to  admit  of  delay.  The  ordi 
nary  movements  of  seamen,  in  critical  moments,  are  dictated 
by  a  quality  that  resembles  instinct  more  than  thought.  The 
constant  hazards  of  a  dangerous  and  delicate  profession,  in 
which  delay  may  prove  fatal,  and  in  which  life,  character,  and 
property,  are  so  often  dependent  on  the  self-possession  and  re 
sources  of  him  who  commands,  beget,  in  time,  so  keen  a 
knowledge  of  the  necessary  expedients,  as  to  cause  it  to  ap 
proach  a  natural  quality. 

The  studding-sails  of  the  Water-Witch  were  no  sooner  flut 
tering  in  the  air,  than  the  brigantine  slightly  changed  her 
course,  like  some  bird  whose  wing  has  been  touched  by  the 
fowler ;  and  her  head  was  seen  inclining  as  much  to  the  south 
as  a  moment  before  it  had  pointed  northward.  The  variation 
trifling  as  it  was,  brought  the  wind  on  the  opposite  quarter, 
and  caused  the  boom  that  distended  her  mainsail  to  gybe.  A? 
the  same  instant  the  studding  sails,  which  had  been  flapping 
under  the  lee  of  this  vast  sheet  of  canvas,  swelled  to  their  ut 
most  tension ;  and  the  vessel  lost  little,  if  any,  of  the  power 
which  urged  her  through  the  water.  Even  while  this  evolu 
tion  was  so  rapidly  performed,  men  were  seen  aloft,  nimbly 
employed,  as  it  has  been  already  expressed  by  the  observant 
little  midshipman,  in  securing  the  crippled  sails. 

"  A  rogue  has  a  quick  wit,"  said  Trysail,  whose  critical  eye 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  2O$ 

suffered  no  movement  of  the  chase  to  escape  him ;  '*  ana  he 
has  need  of  it,  sail  from  what  haven  he  may  !  Yon  brigan- 
tine  is  prettily  handled  !  Little  have  we  gained  by  our  fire, 
but  the  gunner's  account  of  ammunition  expended  ;  and  little 
has  the  free-trader  lost,  but  a  studding-sail-boom,  which  will 
work  up  very  well  yet  into  top-gallant-yards,  and  other  light 
spars,  for  such  a  cockle-shell." 

"  It  is  something  gained  to  force  him  off  the  land  into 
rougher  water,"  Ludlow  mildly  answered.  "  I  think  we  see 
his  quarter-pieces  more  plainly  than  before  the  gun  was  used." 

"No  doubt,  sir,  no  doubt.  I  got  a  glimpse  of  his  lower 
dead-eyes  a  minute  ago  ;  but  I  have  been  near  enough  to  see 
the  saucy  look  of  the  hussy  under  his  bowsprit ;  yet  there  goes 
the  brigantine,  at  large  !  " 

"  I  am  certain  that  we  are  closing,"  thoughtfully  returned 
Ludlow. — "  Hand  me  the  glass,  quarter-master." 

Trysail  watched  the  countenance  of  his  young  commander, 
as  he  examined  the  chase  with  the  aid  of  the  instrument;  and 
he  thought  he  read  strong  discontent  in  his  features,  when  the 
other  laid  it  aside. 

"  Does  he  show  no  signs  of  coming  back  to  his  allegiance, 
sir  ? — or  does  the  rogue  hold  out  in  obstinacy  ?  " 

"The  figure  on  his  poop  is  the  bold  man  who  ventured 
on  board  the  Coquette,  and  who  now  seems  quite  as  much  at 
his  ease  as  when  he  exhibited  his  effrontery  here  ! " 

"There  is  a  look  of  deep  water  about  that  rogue;  and  I 
thought  that  her  majesty  had  gained  a  prize  when  he  first  put 
foot  on  our  decks.  You  are  right  enough,  sir,  in  calling  him 
a  bold  one  !  The  fellow's  impudence  would  unsettle  the  dis 
cipline  of  a  whole  ship's  company,  though  every  other  man 
were  an  officer,  and  all  the  rest  priests.  He  took  up  as  much 
room  in  walking  the  quarter-deck,  as  a  ninety  in  wearing  ;  and 
the  truck  is  not  driven  on  the  head  of  that  top-gallant-mast 
half  as  hard  as  the  hat  is  riveted  to  his  head.  The  fellow  has 
no  reverence  for  a  pennant !  I  managed,  in  shifting  pennants 
at  sunset,  to  make  the  fly  of  the  one  that  came  down  flap  in 
his  impudent  countenance,  by  way  of  hint ;  and  he  took  it  as  a 
Dutchman  minds  a  signal — that  is,  as  a  question  to  be  an 
swered  in  the  next  watch.  A  little  polish  got  on  the  quarter 
deck  of  a  man-of-war  would  make  a  philospher  of  the  rogue, 
and  fit  him  for  any  company,  short  of  Heaven  !  " 

"  There  goes  a  new  boom  aloft ! "  cried  Ludlow,  interrupt 
ing  the  discursive  discourse  of  the  master.  "  He  is  bent  on 
getting  in  with  the  shiore," 


206  THE    WATER-WITCH, 

"If  these  puffs  come  much  heavier,"  returned  the  maste 
whose  opinions  of  the  chase  vacillated  with  his  professional 
feelings,  "  we  shall  have  hir:  at  our  own  play,  and  try  the 
qualities  of  his  brigantine.  The  sea  has  a  green  spot  to  wind 
ward,  and  there  are  strong  symptoms  of  a  squall  on  the  water. 
One  can  almost  see  into  the  upper  w,orld,  with  an  air  as  clear 
as  this.  Your  northers  sweep  the  mists  off  America,  and  leave 
both  sea  and  land  bright  as  a  school-boy's  face,  before  the 
tears  have  dimmed  it,  after  the  first  flogging.  You  have  sailed 
in  the  southern  seas,  Captain  Ludlow,  I  know :  for  we  were 
shipmates  among  the  islands,  years  that  are  past;  but  I  never 
heard  whether  you  have  run  the  Gibraltar  passage,  and  seen 
the  blue  water  that  lies  among  the  Italy  mountains  ?  " 

"  I  made  a  cruise  against  the  Barbary  states,  when  a  lad; 
and  we  had  business  that  took  us  to  the  northern  shore." 

"  Ay  !  'Tis  your  northern  shore  I  mean  !  There  in  not  a 
foot  of  it  all,  from  the  rock  at  the  entrance  to  the  Faro  of 
Messina,  that  eye  of  mine  hath  not  seen.  No  want  of  look 
outs  and  landmarks  in  that  quarter  !  Here  we  are  close  aboard 
of  America,  which  lies  some  eight  or  ten  leagues  there-away 
to  the  northward  of  us,  and  some  forty  astern ;  and  yet,  if  it 
were  not  for  our  departure,  with  the  color  of  the  water,  and  a 
knowledge  of  the  soundings,  one  might  believe  himself  in  the 
middle  of  the  Atlantic.  Many  a  good  ship  pumps  upon 
America  before  she  knows  where  she  is  going  ;  while  in  your 
sea,  you  may  run  for  a  mountain,  with  its  side  in  full  view, 
four-and -twenty  hours  on  a  stretch,  before  you  see  the  town  at 
its  foot.'1 

"  Nature  has  compensated  for  the  difference  in  defending 
the  approach  to  this  coast  by  the  Gulf  Stream,  with  its  float 
ing  weeds  and  different  temperature  ;  while  the  lead  may  feel 
its  way  in  the  darkest  night,  for  no  roof  of  a  house  is  more 
gradual  than  the  ascent  of  this  shore,  from  a  hundred  fathoms 
to  a  sandy  beach." 

"  I  said  many  a  good  ship,  Captain  Ludlow,  and  not  good 
navigator.— No — no — your  thoroughbred  knows  the  difference 
between  green  water  and  the  blue,  as  well  as  between  a  hand- 
lead  and  the  deep  sea.  But  I  remember  to  have  missed  an  ob 
servation,  once,  when  running  for  Genoa,  before  a  mistrail. 
There  was  a  likelihood  of  making  our  land-fall  in  the  night, 
and  the  greater  the  need  of  knowing  the  ship's  position.  1 
have  often  thought,  sir,  that  the  ocean  was  like  human  life— 
a  blind  track  for  &.11  that  is  ahead,  and  none  of  the  clearest  as 
•  respects  that  which  has  been  passed  over.  Many  a  man  runt 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2O/ 

headlong  to  his  own  destruction,  and  many  a  ship  steers  for 
a  reef  under  a  press  of  canvas.  To-morrow  is  a  fog,  into 
which  none  of  us  can  see ;  and  even  the  present  time  is  little 
better  than  thick  weather,  into  which  we  look  without  getting 
much  information.  Well,  as  I  was  observing,  here  lay  our 
course,  with  the  wind  as  near  aft  as  need  be,  blowing  much  as 
at  present ;  for  your  French  mistrail  has  a  family  likeness  to 
the  American  norther.  We  had  the  maintop-gallant-sail  set, 
without  studding-sails,  for  we  began  to  think  of  the  deep  bight 
in  which  Genoa  is  stowed,  and  the  sun  had  dipped  more  than 
an  hour.  As  our  good  fortune  would  have  it,  clouds  and  mis- 
trails  do  not  agree  long,  and  we  got  a  clear  horizon.  Here 
lay  a  mountain  of  snow,  northerly,  a  little  west,  and  there 
lay  another,  southerly  with  easting.  The  best  ship  in  Queen 
Anne's  navy  could  not  have  fetched  either  in  a  day's  run, 
yet  there  we  saw  them,  as  plainly  as  if  anchored  under  their 
lee  !  A  look  at  the  chart  soon  gave  us  an  insight  into  our 
situation.  The  first  were  the  Alps,  as  they  call  them,  being  as 
I  suppose  the  French  for  apes,  of  which  there  are  no  doubt 
plenty  in  those  regions ;  and  the  other  were  the  highlands  of 
Corsica,  both  being  as  white,  in  midsummer,  as  the  hair  of  a 
man  of  fourscore.  You  see,  sir,  we  had  only  to  set  the  two, 
by  compass,  to  know,  within  a  league  or  two,  where  we  were. 
So  we  ran  till  midnight,  and  hove-to;  in  the  morning  we  took 
the  light  to  feel  for  our  haven — " 

"  The  brigantine  is  gybing  again  !  "  cried  Ludlow.  "  He 
is  determined  to  shoal  his  water !  " 

The  master  glanced  an  eye  around  the  horizon,  and  then 
pointed  steadily  toward  the  north.  Ludlow  observed  the  ges 
ture,  and,  turning  his  head,  he  was  at  no  loss  to  read  its  mean' 
ing. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

*•  I  am  gone,  sir, 
And  anon,  sir, 
I'll  be  with  you  again." 

CLOWN  IN  TWELFTH  NIGHT. 

ALTHOUGH  it  is  contrary  to  the  apparent  evidence  of  our 
senses,  there  is  no  truth  more  certain  than  that  the  course  of 
most  gales  of  wind  comes  from  the  leeward.  The  effects  of  a 
tempest  shall  be  felt  for  hours,  at  a  point  that  is  seemingly  neaf 


208  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

its  termination,  before  they  are  witnessed  at  another  thtt  ap 
pears  to  be  nearer  its  source.  Experience  has  also  shown 
that  a  storm  is  more  destructive  at  or  near  its  place  of  actual 
commencement,  than  at  that  whence  it  may  seem  to  come. 
The  easterly  gales  that  so  often  visit  the  coast  of  the  republic, 
commit  their  ravages  in  the  bays  of  Pennsylvania  and  Vir 
ginia,  or  along  the  sounds  of  the  Carolinas,  hours  before  their 
existence  is  known  in  the  States  farther  east ;  and  the  same 
wind  which  is  a  tempest  at  Hatteras,  becomes  softened  to  a 
breeze  near  the  Penobscot.  There  is,  however,  little  mystery 
in  this  apparent  phenomenon.  The  vacuum  which  has  been 
created  in  the  air,  and  which  is  the  origin  of  all  winds,  must 
be  filled  first  from  the  nearest  stores  of  the  atmosphere;  and, 
as  each  region  contributes  to  produce  the  equilibrium,  it  must, 
in  return,  receive  other  supplies  from  those  which  lie  beyond. 
Were  a  given  quantity  of  water  to  be  suddenly  abstracted  from 
the  sea,  the  empty  space  would  be  replenished  by  a  torrent 
from  the  nearest  surrounding  fluid,  whose  level  would  be  re 
stored  in  succession,  by  supplies  that  were  less  and  less  violently 
contributed.  Were  the  abstraction  made  on  a  shoal,  or  near  the 
land,  the  flow  would  be  the  greatest  from  that  quarter  where-the 
fluid  had  the  greatest  force,  and  with  it  would  consequently 
come  the  current. 

But  while  there  is  so  close  an  affinity  between  the  two  fluids, 
the  workings  of  the  viewless  winds  are,  in  their  nature,  much 
less  subject  to  the  powers  of  human  comprehension  than  those 
of  the  sister  element.  The  latter  are  frequently  subject  to  the 
direct  and  manifest  influence  of  the  former,  while  the  effects 
produced  by  the  ocean  on  the  air  are  hid  from  our  knowledge 
by  the  subtle  character  of  the  agency.  Vague  and  erratic 
currents,  it  is  true,  are  not  in  the  waters  of  the  ocean ;  but 
their  origin  is  easily  referred  to  the  action  of  the  winds, 
while  we  often  remain  in  uncertainty  as  to  the  immediate 
causes  which  give  birth  to  the  breezes  themselves.  Thus  the  mar 
iner,  even  while  the  victim  of  the  irresistible  waves,  studies  the 
heavens  as  the  known  source  from  whence  the  danger  comes ; 
and  while  he  struggles  fearfully,  amid  the  strife  of  the  ele 
ments,  to  preserve  the  balance  of  the  delicate  and  fearful  ma 
chine  he  governs,  he  well  knows  that  the  one  which  presents 
the  most  visible,  and  to  a  landsman  much  the  most  formidable 
object  of  apprehension,  is  but  the  instrument  of  the  unseen 
and  powerful  agent  that  heaps  the  water  on  his  path. 

It  is  in  consequence  of  this  difference  in  power,  and  of  the 
mystery  that  envelops  the  workings  of  the  atmosphere,  that,  » 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

•11  ages,  seamen  have  been  the  subjects  of  superstition  in  respect 
to  the  winds.  There  is  always  more  or  less  of  the  dependency  of 
ignorance,  in  the  manner  with  which  they  have  regarded  the 
changes  of  that  fickle  element.  Even  the  mariners  of  our 
own  times  are  not  exempt  from  this  weakness.  The  thought 
less  ship-boy  is  reproved  if  his  whistle  be  heard  in  the  howl 
ing  of  the  gale ;  and  the  officer  sometimes  betrays  a  feeling 
of  uneasiness  if  at  such  a  moment  he  should  witness  any  vio 
lation  *f  the  received  opinions  of  his  profession.  He  finds 
himself  in  the  situation  of  one  whose  ears  have  drunk  in  leg 
ends  of  supernatural  appearances,  which  a  better  instruction 
has  taught  him  to  condemn ;  and  who,  when  placed  in  situa 
tions  to  awaken  their  recollection,  finds  the  necessity  of  draw 
ing  upon  his  reason,  to  quiet  emotions  that  he  might  hesitate 
to  acknowledge. 

When  Trysail  directed  the  attention  of  his  young  com 
mander  to  the  heavens,  however,  it  was  more  with  the  intel 
ligence  of  an  experienced  mariner  than  with  any  of  the  sensa 
tions  to  which  allusion  has  just  been  made.  A  cloud  had  sud 
denly  appeared  on  the  water,  and  long  ragged  portions  of  the 
vapor  were  pointing  from  it,  in  a  manner  to  give  it  what  sea 
men  term  a  windy  appearance. 

"  We  shall  have  more  than  we  want  with  this  canvas  ! >f 
said  the  master,  after  both  he  and  his  commander  had  studied 
the  appearance  of  the  mist  for  a  sufficient  time.  "  That  fel 
low  is  a  mortal  enemy  of  lofty  sails ;  he  likes  to  see  nothing; 
but  naked  sticks  up  in  his  neighborhood !  " 

11 1  should  think  his  appearance  will  force  the  brigantine  to 
shorten  sail,"  returned  the  captain.  "  We  will  hold  on  to  the 
last,  while  he  must  begin  to  take  in  soon,  or  the  squall  will 
come  upon  him  too  fast  for  a  light-handed  vessel." 

"  'Tis  a  cruiser's  advantage  !  yet  the  rogue  shows  no  signs  of 
lowering  a  single  cloth  !  " 

"  We   will  look  to  our  own  spars,"  said  Ludlow,  turning  to 
the  lieutenant  of  the  watch.     "  Call  the  people  up,  sir,  and ... 
see  all  ready  for  yonder  cloud." 

The  order  was  succeded  by  the  customary  hoarse  summons- 
of  the  boatswain,  who  prefaced  the  effort  of  his  lungs  by  a 
long,  shrill  winding  of  his  call,  above  the  hatchways  of  ship. 
The  cry  of  "  All  hands  shorten  sail,  ahoy  !  "  soon  brought 
the  crew  from  the  depths  of  the  vessel  to  her  upper  deck. 
Each  trained  seaman  silently  took  his  station ;  and  after  the 
ropes  were  cleared,  and  the  few  necessary  preparations  made, 
•11  stood  in  attentive  silence,  awaiting  the  sounds  that  might 

14 


210  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

next  proceed  from  the  trumpet,  which  the  first-lieutenant  had 
had  now  assumed  in  person. 

The  superiority  of  sailing,  which  a  ship  fitted  for  war  pos 
sesses  over  one  employed  in  commerce,  proceeds  from  a  variety 
of  causes.  The  first  is  in  the  construction  of  the  hull,  which 
in  the  one  is  as  justly  fitted  as  the  art  of  naval  architecture 
will  allow,  to  the  double  purposes  of  speed  and  buoyancy ; 
while,  in  the  other,  the  desire  of  gain  induces  great  sacrifices  of 
these  important  objects,  in  order  that  the  vessel  may  be  burden 
some.  Next  comes  the  difference  in  the  rig,  which  is  not 
only  more,  square,  but  more  lofty,  in  a  ship-of-war  than  in  a 
trader,  because  the  greater  force  of  the  crew  of  the  former 
epables  them  to  manage  both  spars  and  sails  that  are  far  heavier 
than  any  ever  used  in  the  latter.  Then  comes  the  greater 
ability  of  the  cruiser  to  make  and  shorten  sail,  since  a  ship 
manned  by  one  or  two  hundred  men  may  safely  profit  by  the 
breeze  to  the  last  moment,  while  one  manned  by  a  dozen  often 
loses  hours  of  a  favorable  wind,  from  the  weakness  of  her 
crew.  This  explanation  will  enable  the  otherwise  uninitiated 
reader  to  understand  the  reasons  why  Ludlow  had  hoped  the 
coming  squall  would  aid  his  designs  on  the  chase. 

To  express  ourselves  in  nautical  language,  "  the  Coquette 
held  on  to  the  last."  Ragged  streaks  of  vapor  were  whirl 
ing  about  in  the  air,  within  a  fearful  proximity  to  the  lofty 
and  light  sails,  and  the  foam  on  the  water  had  got  so  near  the 
ship  as  already  to  efface  her  wake ;  when  Ludlow,  who  had 
watched  the  progress  of  the  cloud  with  singular  coolness, 
made  a  sign  to  his  subordinate  that  the  proper  instant  had  ar 
rived. 

"  In,  of  all !  "  shouted  through  the  trumpet,  was  the  only 
command  necessary ;  for  officers  and  crew  were  well  instructed 
in  their  duty. 

The  words  had  no  sooner  quitted  the  lips  of  the  lieuten 
ant,  than  the  steady  roar  of  the  sea  was  drowned  in  the  flap 
ping  of  canvas.  Tacks,  sheets,  and  halyards,  went  together ; 
and,  in  less  than  a  minute,  the  cruiser  showed  naked  spars 
and  whistling  ropes,  where  so  lately  had  been  seen  a  cloud  of 
snow-white  cloth.  All  her  steering-sails  came  in  together,  and 
the  lofty  canvas  was  furled  to  her  topsails.  The  latter  still 
stood  and  the  vessel  received  the  weight  of  the  little  tempest 
on  their  broad  surfaces.  The  gallant  ship  stood  the  shock 
nobly ;  but,  as  the  wind  came  over  the  taffrail,  its  force  had 
far  less  influence  on  the  hull  than  on  the  other  occasion  al< 
ready  described.  The  danger,  MOW,  was  only  for  her  spars  ( 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  211 

and  these  wer*  *aved  by  the  watchful  though  bold  vigilance  d 
her  Captain. 

Ludlow  was  no  sooner  certain  that  the  cruiser  felt  the  force 
of  the  wind,  and  to  gain  this  assurance  needed  but  a  few  mo 
ments,  than  he  turned  his  eager  look  on  the  brigantine.  To 
the  surprise  ot"  all  who  witnessed  her  temerity,  the  Water- 
Witch  Still  showed  all  her  light  sails.  Swiftly  as  the  ship  was 
now  driven  through  the  water,  its  velocity  was  greatly  out 
stripped  by  that  of  the  wind.  The  signs  of  the  passing  squall 
were  already  visible  on  the  sea,  for  half  the  distance  between 
ihe  two  vessels ;  and  still  the  chase  showed  no  consciousness 
of  its  approach.  Her  commander  had  evidently  studied  its 
effects  on  tne  Coquette ;  and  he  awaited  the  shock  with  the 
coolness  of  jne  accustomed  to  depend  on  his  own  resources, 
and  able  to  estimate  the  force  with  which  he  had  to  contend. 

"  If  he  hold  on  a  minute  longer,  he  will  get  more  than  he 
can  bear,  and  away  will  go  all  his  kites,  like  smoke  from  the 
mnzzle  of  a  gun  !  "  muttered  Trysail.  "  Ah  !  there  come 
down  his  studding-sails — ah  !  settle  away  the  mainsail — in 
royal,  and  topgallant  sail,  with  topsail  on  the  cap! — The  ras 
cals  are  as  nimble  as  pickpockets  in  a  crowd." 

The  honest  master  has  sufficiently  described  the  precautions 
taken  on  board  of  the  brigantine.  Nothing  was  furled  ;  "but 
as  every  thing  was  hauled  up,  or  lowered,  the  squall  had  little 
to  waste  its  fury  on.  The  diminished  surfaces  of  the  sails  pro 
tected  the  spars,  while  the  canvas  was  saved  by  the  aid  of 
cordage.  After  a  few  moments  of  pause,  half  a  dozen  men 
were  seen  busied  in  more  effectually  securing  the  few  upper 
and  lighter  sails. 

But  though  the  boldness  with  which  the  Skimmer  of  the 
Seas  carried  sail  to  the  last,  was  justified  by  the  result,  still  the 
effects  of  the  increased  wind  and  rising  waves  on  the  progress 
of  the  two  vessels  grew  more  sensible.  While  the  little  and 
low  brigantine  began  to  labor  and  roll,  the  Coquette  rode  the 
element  with  buoyancy,  and  consequently  with  less  resistance 
from  the  water.  Twenty  minutes,  during  which  the  force  of 
the  wind  was  but  little  lessened,  brought  the  cruiser  so  near 
the  chase  as  to  enable  her  crew  to  distinguish  most  of  the 
^mailer  objects  that  were  visible  above  her  ridge-ropes. 

"  Blow,  winds,  and  crack  your  cheeks  !  "  said  Ludlow,  in 
an  under-tone,  the  excitement  of  the  chase  growing  with  the 
hopes  of  success.  "I  ask  but  one  half-hour,  then  shift  al 
your  pleasure  !  " 

"Blow,  good  devil,  and  you  shall  have  the  cook  !"  mut 


212  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

tered  Trysail,  quoting  a  very  different  author.  "  Another  glasi 
will  bring  us  within  hail." 

"  The  squall  is  leaving  us  !  "  interrupted  the  captain. 
"  Pack  on  the  ship  again,  Mr.  Luff,  from  her  trucks  to  her 
ridge-ropes  !  " 

The  whistle  of  the  boatswain  was  again  heard  at  the  hatch 
ways,  and  the  hoarse  summons  of  "  All  hands  make  sail, 
ahoy!"  once  more  called  the  people  to  their  stations.  The 
sails  were  set  with  a  rapidity  which  nearly  equalled  the  speed 
with  which  they  had  been  taken  in ;  and  the  violence  of  the 
breeze  was  scarcely  off  the  ship,  before  its  complicated  volumes 
of  canvas  were  spread  to  catch  what  remained.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  chase,  even  more  hardy  than  the  cruiser,  did  not 
wait  for  the  end  of  the  squall ;  but,  profiting  by  the  notice 
given  by  the  latter,  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas"  began  to  sway 
his  yards  aloft  while  the  sea  was  still  white  with  foam. 

"  The  quick-sighted  rogue  knows  we  are  done  with  it,"  said 
Trysail ;  "  and  he  is  getting  ready  for  his  own  turn.  We  gain 
tout  little  of  him,  notwithstanding  our  muster  of  hands." 

The  fact  was  too  true  to  be  denied,  for  the  brigantine  was 
again  under  all  her  canvas,  before  the  ship  had  sensibly 
profited  by  her  superior  physical  force.  It  was  at  this  moment, 
when,  perhaps  in  consequence  of  the  swell  on  the  water,  the 
Coquette  might  have  possessed  some  small  advantage,  that  the 
wind  suddenly  failed.  The  squall  had  been  its  expiring  ef 
fort  ;  and,  within  an  hour  after  the  two  vessels  had  again  made 
sail,  the  canvas  was  flapping  against  the  masts,  in  a  manner  to 
throw  back,  in  eddies,  a  force  as  great  as  that  it  received.  The 
sea  fell  fast,  and  near  the  end  of  the  last  or  forenoon  watch, 
the  surface  of  ocean  was  agitated  only  by  those  long,  undulat 
ing  swells  that  seldom  leave  it  entirely  without  motion.  For 
some  little  time,  there  were  fickle  currents  of  air  playing  in 
various  directions  about  the  ship,  but  always  in  force  sufficient 
to  urge  her  slowly  through  the  water ;  and  then,  when  the 
^equilibrium  of  the  element  seemed  established,  there  was  a 
total  calm.  During  the  half-hour  of  the  baffling  winds,  the 
brigantine  had  been  a  gainer,  though  not  enough  to  carry  her 
entirely  beyond  the  reach  of  the  cruiser's  guns. 
,  "  Haul  up  the  courses  !  "  said  Ludlow,  when  the  last  breath 
of  wind  had  been  felt  on  the  ship,  and,  quitting  the  gun  where 
he  had  long  stood,  watching  the  movements  of  the  chase. 
"  Get  the  boats  into  the  water,  Mr.  Luff,  and  arm  their 
crews." 

The  young  commander  issued  this  order,  which  needed  no 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  215 

interpreter  to  explain  its  object  firmly,  but  in  sadness.  His 
face  was  thoughtful,  and  his  whole  air  was  that  of  a  man  who 
yielded  to  an  imperative  but  unpleasant  duty.  When  he  had 
spoken,  he  signed  to  the  attentive  alderman  and  his  friend  to 
follow,  and  entered  his  cabin. 

"  There  is  no  alternative,"  continued  Ludlow,  as  he  laid  the 
glass  which  so  often  that  morning  had  been  at  his  eye,  on  the 
table,  and  threw  himself  into  a  chair.  "  This  rover  must  be 
seized  at  every  hazard,  and  here  is  a  favorable  occasion  to 
carry  him  by  boarding.  Twenty  minutes  will  bring  us  to  his 
side,  and  five  more  will  put  us  in  possession;  but — " 

"  You  think  the  '  Skimmer  '  is  not  the  man  to  receive  such 
visitors  with  an  old  woman's  welcome,"  pithily  observed 
Myndert. 

"  I  much  mistake  the  man  if  he  yield  so  beautiful  a  vessel 
peacefully.  Duty  is  imperative  on  a  seaman,  Alderman  Van 
Beverout ;  and,  much  as  I  lament  the  circumstance,  it  must  be 
obeyed." 

11 1  understand  you,  sir.  Captain  Ludlow  has  two  mis 
tresses,  Queen  Anne  and  the  daughter  of  old  Etienne  Bar- 
berie.  He  fears  both.  When  the  debts  exceed  the  means  of 
payment,  it  would  seem  wise  to  offer  to  compound ;  and  in 
this  case  her  majesty  and  my  niece  may  be  said  to  stand  in 
case  of  creditors." 

"You  mistake  my  meaning,  sir,"  said  Ludlow.  "There 
can  be  no  composition  between  a  faithful  officer  and  his  duty, 
nor  do  I  acknowledge  more  than  one  mistress  in  my  ship — but 
seamen  are  little  to  be  trusted  in  the  moment  of  success,  and 
with  their  passions  awakened  by  resistance.  Alderman  Van 
Beverout,  will  you  accompany  the  party,  and  serve  as  medi 
ator?" 

"  Pikes  and  hand-grenades  !  Am  I  a  fit  subject  for  mount 
ing  the  sides  of  a  smuggler  with  a  broadsword  between  my 
teeth  !  If  you  will  put  me  into  the  smallest  and  most  peace 
able  of  your  boats,  with  a  crew  of  two  boys,  that  I  can  con 
trol  with  the  authority  of  a  magistrate,  and  covenant  to  re 
main  here  with  your  three  topsails  aback,  having  always  a  flag 
of  truce  at  each  mast,  I  will  bear  the  olive-branch  to  the 
brigantine,  but  not  a  word  of  menace.  If  report  speak  true, 
your  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  '  is  no  lover  of  threats,  and  Heaven 
forbid  that  I  should  do  violence  to  any  man's  habits  !  I  will 
go  forth  as  your  turtle-dove,  Captain  Ludlow;  but  not  one 
foot  will  I  proceed  as  your  Goliath." 

"M  And  you  equally  refuse  endeavoring  to  avert  hostilities?  " 


*I4  THE    WATE&W1TCH. 

continued  Ludlow,  turning  his  look  on  the  Patroon  of  Kinder 
hook, 

"  I  am  the  queen's  subject,  and  ready  to  aid  in  supporting 
the  laws,"  quietly  returned  Oloff  Van  Staats. 

" Patroon  !"  exclaimed  his  watchful  friend,  "you  know 
not  what  you  say  !  If  there  were  question  of  an  inroad  of 
Mohawks,  or  an  invasion  from  the  Canadas,  the  case  would  be 
altered  ;  but  this  is  only  a  trifling  difference  concerning  a  small 
balance  in  the  revenue  duties,  which  had  better  be  left  to  your 
tide  waiter  and  the  other  wild-cats  of  the  law.  If  Parliament 
will  put  temptation  before  our  eyes,  let  the  sin  light  on  their 
own  heads.  Human  nature  is  weak,  and  the  vanities  of  our 
system  are  so  many  inducements  to  overlook  unreasonable 
regulations.  I  say,  therefore,  it  is  better  to  remain  in  peace 
on  board  this  ship,  where  our  characters  will  be  as  safe  as  our 
bones,  and  trust  to  Providence  for  what  will  happen," 

"I  am  the  queen's  subject,  and  ready  to  uphold  her  dig 
nity,"  repeated  Oloff,  firmly, 

"  I  will  trust  you,  sir,"  said  Ludlow,  taking  his  rival  by  the 
arm,  and  leading  him  into  his  own  state-room. 

The  conference  was  soon  ended,  and  a  mid-shipman  shortly 
after  reported  that  the  boats  were  ready  for  service.  The  mas 
ter  was  next  summoned  to  the  cabin,  and  admitted  to  the  pri 
vate  apartment  of  his  commander,  Ludlow  then  proceeded  to 
the  deck,  where  he  made  the  final  dispositions  for  the  attaclL 
The  ship  was  left  in  charge  of  Mr.  Luff,  with  an  injunction  to 
profit  by  any  breeze  that  might  offer,  to  draw  as  near  as  possi 
ble  to  the  chase.  Trysail  was  placed  in  the  launch  at  the 
head  of  a  strong  party  of  boarders.  Van  Staats  of  Kinder- 
hook  was  provided  with  the  yawl,  manned  only  by  its  custom 
ary  crew ;  while  Ludlow  entered  his  own  barge,  which  con 
tained  its  usual  complement,  though  the  arms  that  lay  in  the 
stern-sheets  sufficiently  showed  that  they  were  prepared  for 
service. 

The  launch  being  the  soonest  ready,  and  of  much  the  heavi 
est  movement,  was  the  first  to  quit  the  side  of  the  Coquette. 
The  master  steered  directly  for  the  becalmed  and  motionless 
brigantine.  Ludlow  took  a  more  circuitous  course,  apparently 
with  an  intention  of  causing  such  a  diversion  as  might  distract 
the  attention  of  the  crew  of  the  smuggler,  and  with  the  view 
of  reaching  the  point  of  attack  at  the  same  moment  with  the 
boat  that  contained  his  principle  force.  The  yawl  also  in 
clined  from  the  straight  line,  steering  as  much  on  one  side  as 
the  barge  diverged  on  the  other.  In  this  manner  the  men 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  21$ 

pulled  in  silence  for  some  twenty  minutes — the  motion  of  the 
larger  boat,  which  was  heavily  charged,  being  slow  and  diffi 
cult  At  the  end  of  this  period,  a  signal  was  made  from  the 
barge,  when  all  the  men  ceased  rowing,  and  prepared  them 
selves  for  the  struggle.  The  launch  was  within  pistol-shot  of 
the  brigantine,  and  directly  on  her  beam ;  the  yawl  had  gained 
her  head,  where  Van  Staats  of  Kinderhook  was  studying  the 
malign  expression  of  the  image,  with  an  interest  that  seemed 
to  increase  as  his  sluggish  nature  became  excited  ;  and  Lud- 
low,  on  the  quarter  opposite  to  the  launch,  was  examining  the 
condition  of  the  chase  by  the  aid  of  a  glass^  Trysail  profited 
by  the  pause  to  address  his  followers : 

g4This  is  an  expedition  in  boats."  commenced  the  ac 
curate  and  circumstantial  master,  "  made  in  smooth  water, 
with  little,  or  one  may  say  no  wind,  in  the  month  of  june^ 
and  on  the  coast  of  North  America.  You  are  not  such  a  set 
of  know-nothings,  men,  as  to  suppose  the  launch  has  been 
hoisted  outj  and  two  of  the  oldest,  not  to  say  best  seamen,,  on 
the  quarter-deck  of  her  majesty's  ship,  have  gone  in  boats, 
without  the  intention  of  doing  something  more  than  to  ask  the 
names  and  character  of  the  brig  in  sight.  The  smallest  of  the 
young  gentlemen  might  have  done  that  duty,  as  well  as  the 
captain  or  myself.  It  is  the  belief  of  those  who  are  best  in 
formed  that  the  stranger  who  has  the  impudence  to  lie  quietly 
within  long  range  of  a  royal  cruiser,  without  showing  his 
colors,  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  famous  *  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas, '  a  man  against  wnose  seamanship  I  will  say  nothing, 
but  who  has  none  of  the  best  reputation  for  honesty,  as  re 
spects  the  queen's  revenue.  No  doubt  you  have  heard  many 
extraordinary  accounts  of  the  exploits  of  this  rover,  some  of 
which  seem  to  insinuate  that  the  fellow  has  a  private  under 
standing  with  those  who  manage  their  transactions  in  a  less  re 
ligious  manner  than  it  may  be  supposed  is  done  by  the  bench 
of  bishops.  But  what  of  that?  You  are  hearty  Englishmen, 

who  know  what  belongs  to  church  and  state  ;  and  d e  you 

are  not  the  boys  to  be  frightened  by  a  little  witchcraft" 
(cheer).  tf  Ay,  that  is  intelligible  and  reasonable  language, 
and  such  as  satisfies  me  you  understand  the  subject.  I  shall 
say  no  more  than  just  to  add  that  Captain  Ludlow  desires 
there  may  be  no  indecent  language,  nor-  for  that  matter  any 
rough  treatment  of  the  people  of  the  brigantine,  over  and 
above  the  knocking  on  the  head  and  cutting  of  throats  that 
may  be  necessary  to  take  her.  In  this  particular  you  will  take 
example  by  me,  who,  being  older,  have  more  experience  than 


2l6  THE    WATER- WITCH. 

most  of  you,  and  who,  in  all  reason,  should  better  know  when 
and  where  to  show  his  manhood.  Lay  about  you  like  men  so 
long  .as  the  free-traders  stand  to  their  quarters — but  remember 
mercy  in  the  hour  of  victory  !  You  will  on  no  account  enter 
the  cabins  ;  on  this  head  my  orders  are  explicit,  and  I  shall 
make  no  more  of  throwing  the  man  into  the  sea  who  dares  tc 
transgress  them,  than  if  he  were  a  dead  Frenchman  ;  and  as 
we  now  clearly  understand  each  other,  and  know  our  duty  so 
-well,  there  remains  no  more  than  to  do  it.  I  have  said  noth- 
ung  of  the  prize-money"  (a  cheer),  "  seeing  you  are  men  that 
love  the  queen  and  her  honor  more  than  lucre"  (a  cheer)  ; 
*<•  but  this  much  I  can  safely  promise,  that  there  will  be  the 
-usual  division  "  (a  cheer),  "  and  as  there  is  little  doubt  but 
the  rogues  have  driven  a  profitable  trade,  why  the  sum  total  is 
likely  to  be  no  trifle."  (Three  hearty  cheers.) 

The  report  of  a  pistol  from  the  barge,  which  was  immedi 
ately  followed  by  a  gun  from  the  cruiser,  whose  shot  came 
whistling  between  the  masts  of  the  Water-Witch,  was  the 
signal  to  resort  to  the  ordinary  means  of  victory.  The  mas 
ter  cheered  in  his  turn;  and  in  a  full,  steady,  and  deep  voice, 
he  gave  the  order  to  "  pull  away  !  "  At  the  same  instant,  the 
barge  and  yawl  were  seen  advancing  toward  the  object  of 
their  common  attack,  with  a  velocity  that  promised  to  bring  the 
event  to  a  speedy  issue. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  the  preparations  in  and  about  the 
Coquette,  since  the  moment  when  the  breeze  failed,  nothing 
had  been  seen  of  the  crew  of  the  brigantine.  The  beautiful 
fabric  lay  rolling  on  the  heaving  and  setting  waters ;  but  no 
human  form  appeared  to  control  her  movement,  or  to  make  the 
arrangements  that  seemed  so  necessary  for  her  defence.  The 
sails  continued  hanging  as  they  had  been  left  by  the  breeze, 
and  the  hull  was  floating  at  the  will  of  the  waves.  This  deep 
quiet  was  undisturbed  by  the  approach  of  the  boats;  and,  if 
the  desperate  individual  who  was  known  to  command  the  free 
trader  had  any  intentions  of  resistance,  they  had  been  entirely 
hid  from  the  long  and  anxious  gaze  of  Ludlow.  Even  the 
shouts,  and  the  dashing  of  the  oars  on  the  water,  when  the 
boats  commenced  their  final  advance,  produced  no  change  on  the 
deck  of  the  chase ;  though  the  commander  of  the  Coquette 
saw  her  head-yards  slowly  and  steadily  changing  their  direc 
tion.  Uncertain  of  the  object  of  this  movement,  he  rose  on 
the  seat  of  his  boat,  and,  waving  his  hat,  cheered  the  men  to 
greater  exertion.  The  barge  had  got  within  a  hundred  feet  of 
the  broadside  of  the  brigantin"  when  the  whole  of  her  wide 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

folds  of  canvas  were  seen  swelling  outward.  The  exquisitely- 
ordered  machinery  of  spars,  sails,  and  rigging,  bowed  toward 
the  barge,  as  in  the  act  of  a  graceful  leave-taking,  and  the  light 
hull  glided  ahead,  leaving  the  boat  to  plough  through  the 
empty  space  which  it  had  just  occupied.  There  needed  no 
second  look  to  assure  Ludlow  of  the  inefficacy  of  further  pur 
suit,  since  the  sea  was  already  ruffled  by  the  breeze  which  had 
so  opportunely  come  to  aid  the  smuggler.  He  signed  to  Try 
sail  to  desist ;  and  both  stood  looking,  with  disappointed  eyes, 
at  the  white  and  hubbling  streak  which  was  left  by  the  wake 
of  the  fugitive. 

But  while  the  Water-Witch  left  the  boats,  commanded  by 
the  captain  and  master  of  the  queen's  cruiser,  behind  her,  she 
steered  directly  on  the  course  that  was  necessary  to  bring  her 
soonest  in  contact  with  the  yawl.  For  a  few  momente,  the 
crew  of  the  latter  believed  it  was  their  own  advance  that 
brought  them  so  rapidly  near  their  object ;  and,  when  the  mid 
shipman  who  steered  the  boat  discovered  his  error,  it  was  only 
in  season  to  prevent  the  swift  brigantine  from  passing  over  his 
little  bark.  He  gave  the  yawl  a  wide  sheer,  and  called 
to  his  men  to  pull  for  their  lives.  Oloff  Van  Staats  had 
placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  boat,  armed  with  a  hanger, 
and  with  every  faculty  too  intent  on  the  expected  attack,  to 
heed  a  danger  that  was  scarcely  intelligible  to  one  of  his  habits. 
As  the  brigantine  glided  past  he  saw  her  low  channels  bending 
toward  the  water,  and,  with  a  powerful  effort,  he  leaped  into 
them,  shouting  a  sort  of  war-cry,  in  Dutch.  At  the  next  in 
stant  he  threw  his  large  frame  over  the  bulwark,  and  disap 
peared  on  the  deck  of  the  smuggler. 

When  Ludlow  caused  his  boats  to  assemble  on  the  spot 
which  the  chase  had  so  lately  occupied,  he  saw  that  the  fruit 
less  expedition  had  been  attended  by  no  other  casualty  than 
the  involuntary  abduction  of  the  Patroon  of  Kinderhook. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

*  What  country,  friends,  is  this  ?  w 
— "  Illyria,  lady." 

TWELFTH  NIGHT. 

MEN  are  as  much  indebted  to  a  fortuitous  concurrence  of 
circumstances  for  the  characters  they  sustain  in  this  world,  as 
to  their  personal  qualities.  The  same  truth  is  applicable  to 


2l8  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

the  reputations  of   ships.      The  properties  of  a  vessel,  like 

those  of  an  individual,  may  have  their  influence  on  her  good 
or  evil  fortune  ;  still,  something  is  due  to  the  accidents  of  life 
in  both.  Although  the  breeze  which  came  so  opportunely  to 
the  aid  of  the  Water-Witch,  soon  filled  the  sails  of  the 
Coquette,  it  caused  no  change  in  the  opinions  of  her  crew  con 
cerning  the  fortunes  of  that  ship ;  while  it  served  to  heighten 
the  reputation  which  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  had  already 
obtained,  as  a  mariner  who  was  more  than  favored  by  happy 
chances,  in  the  thousand  emergencies  of  his  hazardous  pro 
fession.  Trysail  himself  shook  his  head,  in  a  manner  that 
expressed  volumes,  when  Ludlow  vented  his  humor  on  what 
the  young  man  termed  the  luck  of  the  smuggler;  and  the 
crews  of  the  boats  gazed  after  the  retiring  brigantine,  as  the 
inhabitants  of  Japan  would  now  most  probably  regard  the  pas 
sage  of  some  vessel  propelled  by  steam.  As  Mr.  Luff  was 
not  neglectful  of  his  duty,  it  was  not  long  before  the  Coquette 
approached  her  boats.  The  delay  occasioned  by  hoisting  in 
the  latter  enabled  the  chase  to  increase  the  space  between  the 
two  vessels  to  such  a  distance  as  to  place  her  altogether  beyond 
the  reach  of  shot.  Ludlow,  however,  gave  his  orders  to  pur* 
sue,  the  moment  the  ship  was  ready ;  and  he  hastened  to  con 
ceal  his  disappointment  in  his  own  cabin. 

"  Luck  is  a  merchant's  surplus,  while  a  living  profit  is  the  re 
ward  of  his  wits!  "  observed  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  who 
could  scarce  conceal  the  satisfaction  he  felt  at  the  unexpected 
and  repeated  escapes  of  the  brigantine.  ' '  Many  a  man  gains 
doubloons,  when  he  only  looked  for  dollars,  and  many  a 
market  falls  while  the  goods  are  in  the  course  of  clearance. 
There  are  Frenchmen  enough,  Captain  Ludlow,  to  keep  a 
brave  officer  in  good-humor  ;  and  the  less  reason  to  fret  about 
a  trifling  mischance  in  overhauling  a  smuggler." 

"I  know  not  how  highly  you  may  prize  your  niece,  Mr. 
Van  Beverout ;  but  were  I  the  uncle  of  such  a  woman,  the 
idea  that  she  had  become  the  infatuated  victim  of  the  arts  of 
yon  reckless  villain,  would  madden  me  !  " 

"Paroxsyms  and  strait-jackets!  Happily  you  are  not  her 
uncle,  Captain  Ludlow,  and  therefore  the  less  reason  to  be  un 
easy.  The  girl  has  a  french  fancy,  and  she  is  rummaging  the 
smuggler's  silks  and  laces ;  when  her  choice  is  made,  we  shall 
have  her  back  again,  more  beautiful  than  ever,  for  a  little 
finery." 

"  Choice  !  O  Alida,  Alida  !  this  is  not  the  election  that  we 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2ig 

had   reason  to  expect  from  thy  cultivated  mind  and  proud 
sentiments  I " 

"The  cultivation  is  my  work,  and  the  pride  is  an  inheri- 
*ar>c*  from  old  Etienne  de  Barberie,"  dryly  rejoined  Myndert. 
"  But  complaints  never  lowered  a  market  nor  raised  the  funds. 
*jet  us  send  for  the  patroon,  and  take  counsel  coolly,  as  to  th« 
easiest  manner  of  finding  our  way  back  to  the  Lust  in  Rust, 
before  her  majesty's  ship  gets  too  far  from  the  coast  of 
America." 

"Thy  pleasantry  is  unseasonable,  sir.  Your  patroon  is  gone 
with  your  niece,  and  a  pleasant  passage  they  are  likely  to 
enjoy  in  such  company  !  We  lost  him  in  the  expedition  with 
our  boats." 

The  alderman  stood  aghast.  « 

*<  Lost  I—  Oloff  Van  Staats  lost,  in  the  expedition  of  the 
boats  1  Evil  betide  the  day  when  that  discreet  and  affluent 
youth  should  be  A^*t  to  the  colony  !  Sir,  you  know  not  what 
you  utter  when  v«>»3  hazard  so  rash  an  opinion.  The  death  of 
the  young  p^croon  of  Kinderhook  would  render  one  of  the 
best  and  mos*  substantial  of  our  families  extinct,  and  leave  the 
third  be^t  estate  in  the  province  without  a  direct  heir  !  " 

.  "The  calamity  is  not  so  overwhelming,"  returned  the  cap 
tain,  with  bitterness.  "The  gentleman  has  boarded  the 
smuggler,  and  gone  with  la  belle  Barberie  to  examine  his  silks 
and  laces." 

Ludiow  then  explained  the  manner  in  which  the  patroon 
had  disappeared.  When  perfectly  assured  that  no  bodily 
harm  had  befallen  his  friend,  the  satisfaction  of  the  alderman 
was  quite  as  vivid  as  his  consternation  had  been  apparent  but 
the  moment  before. 

"  Gone  with  la  belle  Barberie  to  examine  silks  and  laces  !  " 
he  repeated,  .rubbing  his  hands  together  in  delight.  "Ay, 
there  the  blood  of  my  old  friend  Stephanus  begins  to  show 
itself!  Your  true  Hollander  is  no  mercurial  Frenchman,  to 
beat  his  head  and  make  grimaces  at  a  shift  in  the  wind,  or  a 
•woman's  'frown  ;  nor  a  blustering  Englishman  (you  are  of  the 
colony  yourself,  young  gentleman)  to  swear  a  big  oath  and 
swagger ;  but,  as  you  see,  a  quiet,  persevering,  and  in  the 
main,  an  active  son  of  old  Batavia,  who  watches  his  oppor 
tunity,  and  goes  into  the  very  presence  of — " 

"  Whom?  ",— demanded  Ludiow,  perceiving  that  the  alder 
man  had  paused. 

"  Of  his  enemy  ;  seeing  that  all  the  enemies  of  the  queen 
•re  necessarily  the  enemies  of  every  loyal  subject.  Bravo, 


220  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

young  Oloff !  thou  art  a  lad  after  my  own  heart,  and  no  doubt 
— no  doubt — fortune  will  favor  the  brave  !  Had  a  Hollander 
a  proper  footing  on  this  earth,  Captain  Cornelius  Ludlow,  we 
should  hear  a  different  tale  concerning  the  right  to  the  narrow 
seas,  and  indeed  to  most  other  questions  of  commerce." 

Ludlow  rose  with  a  bitter  smile  on  his  face,  though  with  no 
ill  feeling  toward  the  man  whose  exultation  was  so  natural. 

"  Mr.  Van  Staats  may  have  reason  to  congratulate  himself 
on  his  good  fortune,"  he  said,  "  though  I  much  mistake  if 
even  his  enterprise  will  succeed  against  the  wiles  of  one  so  art 
ful,  and  of  an  appearance  so  gay,  as  the  man  whose  guest  he 
has  now  become.  Let  the  caprice  of  others  be  what  it  may, 
Alderman  Van  Beverout,  my  duty  must  be  done.  The 
) muggier,  aided  by  chance  and  artifice,  has  thrice  escaped 
.ae ;  the  fourth  time,  it  may  be  our  fortune.  If  this  ship 
possesses  the  power  to  destroy  the  lawless  rover,  let  him  look 
to  his  fate." 

With  this  menace  on  his  lips,  Ludlow  quitted  the  cabin,  to 
resume  his  station  on  the  deck,  and  to  renew  his  unwearied 
watching  of  the  movements  of  the  chase. 

The  change  in  the  wind  was  altogether  in  favor  of  the 
brigantine.  It  brought  her  to  windward,  and  was  the  means 
of  placing  the  two  vessels  in  positions  that  enabled  the  Water- 
Witch  to  profit  the  most  by  her  peculiar  construction.  Con 
sequently,  when  Ludlow  reached  his  post,  he  saw  that  the 
swift  and  light  craft  had  trimmed  every  thing  close  upon  the 
wind,  and  that  she  was  already  so  far  ahead  as  to  render  the 
chances  of  bringing  her  again  within  range  of  his  guns  almost 
desperate;  unless,  indeed,  some  of  the  many  vicissitudes,  so 
common  on  the  ocean,  should  interfere  in  his  behalf.  There 
remained  little  else  to  be  done,  therefore,  but  to  crowd  every 
sail  on  the  Coquette  that  the  ship  would  bear,  and  to  endeavor 
to  keep  within  sight  of  the  chase,  during  the  hours  of  dark 
ness  which  must  so  shortly  succeed.  But,  before  the  sun  had 
fallen  to  the  level  of  the  water,  the  hull  of  the  Water- Witch 
had  disappeared ;  and,  when  the  day  closed,  no  part  of  her 
airy  outline  was  visible  but  that  which  was  known  to  belong  to 
her  upper  and  lighter  spars.  In  a  few  minutes  afterward  dark 
ness  covered  the  ocean ;  and  the  seamen  of  the  royal  cruiser 
were  left  to  pursue  their  object  at  random. 

How  far  the  Coquette  had  run  during  the  night  does  not 
appear,  but  when  her  commander  made  his  appearance  on  the 
following  morning,  his  long  and  anxious  gaze  met  no  othei 
reward  than  a  naked  horizon.  On  evtry  side,  the  sea  pre 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  221 

seated  the  same  waste  of  water.  No  object  was  visible,  but 
the  sea-fowl  wheeling  on  his  wide  wing,  and  the  summits  of 
the  irregular  and  green  billows.  Throughout  that  and  many 
succeeding  days,  the  cruiser  continued  to  plough  the  ocean, 
sometimes  running  large,  with  every  thing  opened  to  the 
breeze  that  the  wide  booms  would  spread,  and,  at  others, 
pitching  and  laboring  with  adverse  winds,  as  if  bent  on  pre 
vailing  over  the  obstacles  which  even  Nature  presented  to  her 
progress.  The  head  of  the  worthy  alderman  had  got  com 
pletely  turned;  and,  though  he  patiently  awaited  the  result, 
before  the  week  was  ended,  he  knew  not  even  the  direction  in 
which,  the  ship  was  steering.  At  length  he  had  reason  to  be 
lieve  that  the  end  of  their  cruise  approached.  The  efforts  of 
the  seamen  were  observed  to  relax,  and  the  ship  was  permitted 
to  pursue  her  course  under  easier  sail. 

It  was  past  meridian,  on  one  of  those  days  of  moderate  ex 
ertion,  that  Francois  was  seen  stealing  from  below,  and 
staggering  from  gun  to  gun,  to  a  place  in  the  centre  of  the 
ship,  where  he  habitually  took  the  air,  in  good  weather,  and 
where  he  might  dispose  of  his  person,  equally  without  pre 
suming  too  far  on  the  good -nature  of  his  superiors,  and  with 
out  courting  too  much  intimacy  with  the  coarser  herd,  who 
composed  the  common  crew. 

"  Ah  !  "  exclaimed  the  valet,  addressing  his  remark  to  the 
midshipman  who  has  already  been  mentioned  by  the  name  of 
Hopper — "voila  la  terre !  Quel  bonheur !  I  shall  be  so 
happy — le  batiment  be  trop  agreable,  mais  vous  savez,  Mon 
sieur  Aspirant,  que  je  ne  suis  point  marin — what  be  le  noro  du. 
pays?  " 

"They  call  it  France,"  returned  the  boy,  who  understood 
enough  of  the  other's  language  to  comprehend  his  meaning  ; 
"  and  a  very  good  country  it  is — for  those  that  like  it." 

"Ma  foi,  non  !  " — exclaimed  Frangois,  recoiling  a  pace 
between  amazement  and  delight. 

"  Call  it  Holland,  then,  if  you  prefer  that  country  most." 

"  Dites-moi,  Monsieur  Hoppair,"  continued  the  valet,  lay 
ing  a  trembling  finger  on  the  arm  of  the  remorseless  young 
rogue ;  "  est-ce  la  France  ?  " 

"One  would  think  a  man  of  your  observation  could  tell 
that  for  himself.  Do  you  not  see  the  church-tower,  with  a 
chateau  in  the  background,  and  a  village  built  in  a  heap,  by 
its  side  f  Now  look  into  yon  wood  !  There  is  a  walk,  straight 
as  a  ship's  wake  in  smooth  water,  and  one — two — three — ay, 
eleven  statues,  with  just  one  nose  among  them  all  1  " 


222  THE    WATER- WITCH, 

"Ma  foi— -dere  is  not  no  wood,  and  no  chateau,  and  rig 
village,  and  no  statue,  and  no  nose — mais,  monsieur,  je  sui» 
age — est-ce  la  France  ?  " 

"  Oh,  you  miss  nothing  by  having  an  indifferent  sight,  for  I 
shall  explain  it  all,  as  we  go  along.  You  see  yonder  hill-side, 
looking  like  a  pattern-card,  of  green  and  yellow  stripes,  or  a 
lignal-book,  with  the  flags  of  all  nations,  placed  side  by  side- 
well,  that  is — les  champs ;  and  this  beautiful  wood,  with  all 
the  branches  trimmed  till  it  looks  like  so  many  raw  marines  at 
drill,  is — la  foret — " 

The  credulity  of  the  warm-hearted  valet  could  swallow  no 
more  ;  but,  assuming  a  look  of  commiseration  and  dignity,  he 
drew  back,  and  left  the  young  tyro  of  the  sea  to  en  joy  his  joke 
with  a  companion  who  just  then  joined  him. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Coquette  continued  to  advance.  The 
chateau,  and  churches,  and  villages,  of  the  midshipman,  soon 
changed  into  a  low  sandy  beach,  with  a  background  of  stunted 
pines,  relieved  here  and  there  by  an  opening,  in  which  ap 
peared  the  comfortable  habitation  and  numerous  out-buildings 
of  some  substantial  yoeman,  or  occasionally  embellished  by 
the  residence  of  a  country  proprietor.  Toward  noon,  the 
crest  of  a  hill  rose  from  the  sea;  and,  just  as  the  sun  set  be 
hind  the  barrier  of  mountain,  the  ship  passed  the  sandy  cape, 
and  anchored  at  the  spot  that  she  had  quitted  when  first 
joined  by  her  commander  after  his  visit  to  the  brigantine. 
The  vessel  was  soon  moored,  the  light  yards  were  struck,  and 
a  boat  was  lowered  into  the  water.  Ludlow  and  the  alderman 
then  descended  the  side,  and  proceeded  toward  the  mouth  of  th* 
Shrewsbury.  Although  it  was  nearly  dark  before  they  had 
reached  the  shore,  there  remained  light  enough  to  enable  th^ 
former  to  discover  an  object  of  unusual  appearance  floating  in 
the  bay,  and  at  no  great  distance  from  the  direction  of  his 
barge.  He  was  led  by  curiosity  to  steer  for  it. 

<e  Cruisers  and  Water- Witches  !  "  muttered  Myndert,  when 
they  were  neai  enough  to  perceive  the  nature  of  the  floating 
object,  "That  brazen  hussy  haunts  us,  as  if  we  had  robbed 
hei  of  gold  ?  Let  us  set  foot  on  land,  and  nothing  short  of  a 
deputation  from  the  city  council  shall  ever  tempt  me  to  wander 
from  my  own  abode  again  !  '* 

Ludlow  shifted  the  helm  of  the  boat,  and  resumed  his  course 
toward  the  river.  He  required  no  explanation  to  tell  him 
more  of  the  nature  of  the  artifice  by  which  he  had  been 
duped.  The  nicely-balanced  tub,  the  upright  spar,  and  the 
extinguished  lantern,  with  the  features  of  the  female  oi  tfte 


THE    WATERS/ITCH.  22J 

ttialign  smile  traced  on  its  horn  faces,  reminded  him,  at  once, 
of  the  false  light  by  which  the  Coquette  had  been  lured  from 
her  course,  on  the  night  she  sailed  in  pursuit  of  the  brigan« 
tine. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

•*  His  daughter,  and  the  heir  of  his  kingdom, 

— hath  referred  herself 
Unto  a  poor  but  worthy  gentleman." 

CYMBEUNE. 

WHEN  Alderman  Van  Beverout  and  Ludlow  drew  near  to 
the  Lust  in  Rust,  it  was  already  dark.  Night  had  overtaken 
them  at  some  distance  from  the  place  of  landing ;  and  the 
mountain  already  threw  its  shadow  across  the  river,  the  narrow 
strip  of  land  that  separated  it  from  the  sea,  and  far  upon  the 
ocean  itself.  Neither  had  an  opportunity  of  making  his  ob 
servations  on  the  condition  of  things  in  and  about  the  villa, 
until  they  ascended  nearly  to  its  level,  and  had  even  entered 
the  narrow  but  fragrant  lawn  in  its  front.  Just  before  they  ar 
rived  at  the  gate  which  opened  on  the  latter,  the  alderman 
paused,  and  addressed  his  companion  with  more  of  the  manner 
of  their  ancient  confidence  than  he  had  manifested  during  the 
few  preceding  days  of  their  intercourse. 

"You  must  have  observed  that  the  events  of  this  little  ex 
cursion  on  the  water  have  been  rather  of  a  domestic  than  of  a 
public  character,"  he  said.  "  Thy  father  was  a  very  ancient 
and  much-esteemed  friend  of  mine,  and  I  am  far  from  cer 
tain  that  there  is  not  some  •affinity  between  us,  in  the  way  of 
intermarriages.  Thy  worthy  mother,  who  is  a  thrifty  woman 
and  a  small  talker,  had  some  of  the  blood  of  my  own  stock. 
It  would  grieve  me  to  see  the  good  understanding,  which  these 
.recollections  have  created,  in  any  manner  interrupted.  I  ad 
mit,  sir,-  that  revenue  is  to  the  state  what  the  soul  is  to  the 
body — the  moving  and  governing  principle  ;  and  that,  as  the 
last  would  be  a  tenantless  house  without  its  inhabitants,  so  the 
first  would  be  an  exacting  and  troublesome  master  without  its 
proper  products.  But  there  is  no  need  of  pushing  a  principle 
to  extremities  !  If  this  brigantine  be  as  you  appear  to  suspect, 
and  indeed  as  we  have  some  reason  from  various  causes  to  in 
fer,  the  vessel  calied  the  Water- Witch,  she  might  have  been 
a  legal  prize  had  she  fallen  into  your  power,  but  now  that  she 


22  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

has  escaped,  I  cannot  say  what  may  be  your  intentions;  but 
were  thy  excellent  father,  the  worthy  member  of  the  king's 
council,  living,  so  discreet  a  man  would  think  much  before  he 
opened  his  lips,  to  say  more  than  is  discreet,  on  this  or  any 
other  subject." 

1 1  Whatever  course  I  may  believe  my  duty  dictates,  you  may 
safely  rely  on  my  discretion  concerning  the — the  remarkable 
—the  very  decided  step  which  your  niece  has  seen  proper  to 
take,"  returned  the  young  man,  who  did  not  make  this  allusion 
to  Alida  without  betraying,  by  the  tremor  of  his  voice,  how 
great  was  her  influence  still  over  him.  "  I  see  no  necessity  of 
violating  the  domestic  feelings  to  which  you  allude,  by  aid 
ing  to  feed  the  ears  of  the  idly  curious  with  the  narrative  of 
her  errors." 

Ludlow  stopped  suddenly,  leaving  the  uncle  to  infer  what 
he  would  wish  to  add. 

"This  is  generous,  and  manly,  and  like  a  loyal — lover, 
Captain  Ludlow,"  returned  the  alderman;  "though  it  is  not 
exactly  what  I  intended  to  suggest.  We  will  not,  however, 
multiply  words  in  the  night  air —  Ha  !  when  the  cat  is  asleep, 
the  mice  are  seen  to  play  !  Those  night-riding,  horse-racing 
blacks  have  taken  possession  of  Alida's  pavilion  ;  and  we  may 
be  thankful  the  poor  girl's  rooms  are  not  as  large  as  Haerlcm 
Common,  or  we  should  hear  the  feet  of  some  hard-driven  beatt 
fralloping  about  in  them." 

The  alderman,  in  his  turn,  cut  short  his  speech,  and 
itarted  as  if  one  of  the  spooks  of  the  colony  had  suddenly  pre- 
,  icnted  itself  to  his  eyes.  His  language  drew  the  look  of  his 
Companion  toward  la  Cour  des  F6es;  and  Ludlow,  at  the  same 
,  noment  as  the  uncle,  caught  an  unequivocal  view  of  la  belle 
Barberie,  as  she  moved  before  the  open  window  of  her  apart 
ment.  The  latter  was  about  to  rush  forward,  but  the  hand  of 
Myndert  arrested  the  impetuous  movement. 

"  Here  is  more  matter  for  our  wits  than  our  legs,*1  observed 
the  cool  and  prudent  burgher.  "  That  was  the  form  of  my 
ivrard  and  niece,  or  the  daughter  of  old  Etienne  Barberie  has  a 
.double. — Francis  !  didst  thou  not  see  the  image  of  a  woman  at 
Ihe  window  of  the. pavilion,  or  are  we  deceived  by  our  wishes? 
— I  have  sometimes  been  deluded  in  an  unaccountable  manner, 
Captain  Ludlow,  when  my  mind  has  been  thoroughly  set  on 
<he  bargain,  in  the  quality  of  the  goods ;  for  the  most  liberal 
of  us  all  are  subject  to  mental  weakness  of  this  nature,  when 
hope  is  alive  !  " 

"  Certainement,  oui !  "  exclaimed  the  eager  valet.     "  Qu<°J 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  22* 

malheur  to  be  oblige  to  go  on  la  mer,  when  Mam'selle  Alide 
nevair  quit  la  maison  !  J'etais  sur,  que  nous  nous  trompions, 
car  jaraais  la  famille  de  Barberie  love  to  be  marins  !  " 

"Enough,  good  Francis;  the  family  of  Barberie  is  as  earthy 
as  a  fox.  Go  and  notify  the  idle  rogues  in  my  kitchen  that 
their  master  is  at  hand ;  and  remember,  that  there  is  no 
necessity  for  speaking  of  all  the  wonders  we  have  seen  on  the 
great  deep. — Captain  Ludlow,  we  will  now  join  my  dutiful 
niece  with  as  little  fracas  as  possible." 

Ludlow  eagerly  accepted  the  invitation,  and  instantly  fol 
lowed  the  dogmatical  and  seemingly  unmoved  alderman  to 
ward  the  dwelling.  As  the  lawn  was  crossed,  they  involun 
tarily  paused  a  moment  to  look  in  at  the  open  windows  of 
the  pa.vilion. 

La  belle  Barberie  had  ornamented  la  Cour  des  Fees  with  a 
portion  of  that  national  taste  which  she  inherited  from  her 
father.  The  heavy  magnificence,  that  distinguished  the  reign 
of  Louis  XIV.,  had  scarcely  descended  to  one  of  the  middling 
rank  of  Monsieur  de  Barberie,  who  had  consequently  brought 
,with  him  to  the  place  of  his  exile,  merely  those  tasteful  usages 
which  appear  almost  exclusively  the  property  of  the  people 
from  whom  he  had  sprung,  without  the  encumbrance  and  cost 
of  the  more  pretending  fashions  of  the  period.  These 
usages  had  become  blended  with  the  more  domestic  and  com 
fortable  habits  of  English,  cr,  what  is  nearly  the  same  thi:,jg, 
of  American  life — a  union  nrhich,  when  it  is  found,  perhaps 
produces  the  most  just  and  happy  medium  of  the  useful  and 
agreeable.  Alida  was  seated  by  a  small  table  of  mahogany, 
deeply  absorbed  in  the  contf  nts  of  a  little  volume  that  lay  be 
fore  her.  By  her  side  st  jod  a  tea-service,  the  cups  and  the 
vessels  of  which  were  of  thf  diminutive  size  then  used,  though 
exquisitely  wrougnt  and  oi  the  most  beautiful  material.  Her 
dress  was  a  neglige  suited  to  her  years  ;  and  her  whole  figure 
breathed  that  air  of  comfort,  mingled  v/ith  grace,  which  seems 
to  be  the  proper  quality  of  the  sex,  and  which  renders  the 
privacy  of  an  elegant  wo  nan  so  attractive  and  peculiar.  Her 
mind  was  intent  on  the  book,  and  the  little  silver  urn  hissed  at 
her  elbow,  apparently  unheeded. 

"  This  is  the  picture  ]  have  loved  to  draw,"  half- whispered 
Ludlow,  "  when  gales  ai  d  storms  have  kept  me  on  the  deck, 
throughout  many  a  drear  j  and  tempestuous  night !  When  body 
and  mind  have  been  i«  patient  of  fatigue,  this  is  the  repose  I 
have  most  coveted,  ai  d  for  which  I  have  even  dared  te 
fcope!" 

IS 


220  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

"The  Cnina  trade  will  come  to  something,  inline,  and 
you  are  an  excellent  judge  of  comfort,  Master  Ludlow/'  re 
turned  the  alderman.  "That  girl  now  has  a  warm  glow  on 
her  cheek,  which  would  seem  to  swear  she  never  faced  a 
breeze  in  her  life ;  and  it  is  not  easy  to  fancy  that  one  who 
looks  so  comfortable  has  lately  been  frolicking  among  the 
dolphins. — Let  us  enter." 

Alderman  Van  Beverout  was  not  accustomed  to  use  much 
ceremony  in  his  visits  to  his  niece.  Without  appearing  to  think 
any  announcement  necessary,  therefore,  the  dogmatical  burgher 
coolly  opened  a  door,  and  ushered  his  companion  into  the 
pavilion. 

If  the  meeting  between  la  belle  Alida  and  her  guests  was 
distinguished  by  the  affected  indifference  of  the  latter,  their 
seeming  ease  was  quite  equalled  by  that  of  the  lady.  She  laid 
aside  her  book  with  a  calmness  that  might  have  been  expected 
had  they  parted  but  an  hour  before,  and  which  sufficiently  as 
sured  both  Ludlow  and  her  uncle  that  their  return  was  known 
and  their  presence  expected.  She  simply  arose  at  their  en 
trance,  and,  with  a  smile  that  betokened  breeding  rather  than 
feeling,  she  requested  them  to  be  seated.  The  composure  of 
his  niece  had  the  effect  to  throw  the  alderman  into  a  brown 
study,  while  the  young  sailor  scarcely  knew  which  to  admire 
the  most,  the  exceeding  loveliness  of  a  woman  who  was  al 
ways  so  beautiful,  or  her  admirable  self-possession  in  a  scene 
that  most  others  would  have  found  sufficiently  embarrassing. 
Alida,  herself,  appeared  to  feel  no  necessity  for  any  explana 
tion  ;  for,  when  her  guests  were  seated,  she  took  occasion  to 
say,  while  busied  in  pouring  out  the  tea  : 

"  You  find  me  prepared  to  offer  the  refreshment  of  a  cup  of 
delicious  bohea.  I  think  my  uncle  calls  it  the  tea  of  the 
Caernarvon  Castle." 

"  A  lucky  ship,  both  in  her  passages  and  her  wares  i  Yes, 
it  is  the  article  you  name ;  and  I  can  recommend  it  to  *11  who 
wish  to  purchase.'  But,  niece  of  mine,  will  you  condescend  to 
acquaint  this  commander  in  her  majesty's  service,  and  a  poor 
alderman  of  her  good  city  of  New  York,  how  long  you  may 
have  been  expecting  our  company?  " 

Alida  felt  at  her  gridle,  and,  drawing  out  a  small  and  richly- 
ornamented  watch,  she  coolly  examined  its  hands,  as  if  t» 
iearn  the  hour. 

"We  are  nine.  I  think  it  was  past  the  turn  of  the  day, 
when  Dinah  first  mentioned  that  this  pleasure  might  be  ex« 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

pected.     But  I  should  also  tell  you  that  packages  which  seem  to 
contain  letters  have  arrived  from  town." 

This  was  giving  a  new  and  sudden  direction  to  the  thoughts 
of  the  alderman.  He  had  refrained  from  entering  on  those 
explanations  which  the  circumstances  seemed  to  require,  be 
cause  he  well  knew  that  he  stood  on  dangerous  ground,  and 
that  more  might  be  said  than  he  wished  his  companion  to  hear, 
no  less  than  from  amazement  at  the  composure  of  his  ward, 
He  was  not  sorry,  therefore,  to  have  an  excuse  to  delay  his  in 
quiries,  that  appeared  so  much  in  character  as  that  of  reading 
the  communications  of  his  business  correspondents.  Swallow 
ing  the  contents  of  the  tiny  cup  he  held,  at  a  gulp,  the  eager 
merchant  seized  the  packet  that  Alida  now  offered  ;  and,  mut 
tering  a  few  words  of  apology  to  Ludlow,  he  left  the  pa 
vilion. 

Until  now  the  commander  of  the  Coquette  had  not  spoken. 
Wonder,  mingled  with  indignation,  sealed  his  mouth,  though 
he  had  endeavored  to  penetrate  the  veil  which  Alida  had 
drawn  around  her  conduct  and  motives,  by  a  diligent  use  of 
his  eyes.  During  the  first  few  moments  of  the  interview,  he 
thought  that  he  could  detect,  in  the  midst  of  her  studied 
calmness,  a  melancholy  smile  struggling  around  her  beautiful 
mouth  ;  but  only  once  had  their  looks  met,  as  she  turned  her 
full,  rich,  and  dark  eyes  furtively  on  his  face,  as  if  curious  to 
know  the  effect  produced  by  her  manner  on  the  mind  of  the 
young  sailor. 

' '  Have  the  enemies  of  the  queen  reason  to  regret  the  cruise 
of  the  Coquette  ?  "  said  la  Belle,  hurriedly,  when  she  found  her 
glance  detected ;  "or  have  they  dreaded  to  encounter  a 
prowess  that  has  already  proved  their  inferiority?  " 

"  Fear,  or  prudence,  or  perhaps  I  might  say  conscience,  has 
made  them  wary,"  returned  Ludlow,  pointedly  emphasizing 
the  latter  words.  "  We  have  run  from  the  Hook  to  the  edge 
of  the  Grand  Bank,  and  returned  without  success." 

"  'Tis  unlucky.  But,  though  the  French  escaped,  have  none 
of  the  lawless  met  with  punishment  ?  There  is  a  rumor  among 
the  slaves  that  the  brigantine  which  visited  us  is  an  object  of 
suspicion  to  the  government  ?  " 

"  Suspicion  ! — But  I  may  apply  to  la  belle  Barbaric  to  know- 
whether  the  character  her  commander  has  obtained  be 
merited?" 

Alida  smiled,  and,  her  admirer  thought,  sweetly  as  ever. 

"It  would  be  a  sign  of  extraordinary  complaisance,  were 
Captain  Ludlow  to  apply  to  the  girls  of  the  colony  for  instruc* 


235  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

tion  in  his  duty  \     We  .nay  be  secret  encouragers  ck 

traband,  but,  surely,  we  are  not  to  be  suspected  of  any  greater 
familiarity  with  their  movements.  These  hints  may  compel  me 
to  abandon  the  pleasures  of  the  Lust  in  Rust,  and  to  seek  air 
and  health  in  some  less  exposed  situation.  Happily  the  banks 
of  the  Hudson  offer  many,  that  one  need  be  fastidious  indeed 
to  reject." 

"Among  which  you  count  the  manor-house  of  Kinder- 
hook?" 

Again  Alida  smiled,  and  Ludlow  thought  it  was  triumph 
antly. 

1 1  The  dwelling  of  Oloff  Van  Staats  is  said  to  be  commodious, 
and  not  badly  placed.  I  have  seen  it — " 

"  In  your  images  of  the  future  ?  "  said  the  young  man,  ob 
serving  she  hesitated. 

Alida  laughed  downright.  But,  immedtately  recovering  her 
self-command,  she  replied  : 

"Not  so  fancifully.  My  knowledge  of  the  beauties  of  the 
house  of  Mr.  Van  Staats  is  confined  to  very  unpoetical  glimpses 
from  the  river,  in  passing  and  repassing.  The  chimneys  are 
twisted  in  the  most  approved  style  of  the  Dutch  Brabant,  and, 
although  wanting  the  stork' s-nest  on  their  summits,  it  seems  as 
if  there  might  be  that  woman's  tempter,  comfort,  around  the 
hearths  beneath.  The  offices,  too,  have  an  enticing  air,  for  a 
thrifty  housewife  !  " 

"Which  office,  in  compliment  to  the  worthy  patroon,  you 
intend  shall  not  long  be  vacant?  " 

Alida  was  playing  with  the  spoon,  curiously  wrought  to  rep 
resent  the  stem  and  leaves  of  a  tea-plant.  She  started,  dropped 
the  implement,  and  raised  her  eyes  to  the  face  of  her  com 
panion.  The  look  was  steady,  and  not  without  an  interest  in 
the  evident  concern  betrayed  by  the  young  man. 

"It  will  never  be  filled  by  me,  Ludlow,"  was  the  answer, 
uttered  solemnly,  and  with  a  decision  that  denoted  a  resolu 
tion  affixed. 

' '  That  declaration  removes  a  mountain  ! — O  Alida,  if  you 
could  as  easily — " 

"Hush!"  whispered  the  other,  rising  and  standing  for  a 
moment  in  an  attitude  of  intense  expectation.  Her  eye  be 
came  brighter,  and  the  bloom  on  her  cheek  even  deeper  than 
before,  while  pleasure  and  hope  were  both  strongly  depicted 
on  her  beautiful  face — "  hush  I  "  she  continued,  motioning  to 
Ludlow  to  repress  his  feelings-  "  Did  you  hear  nothing?  " 

The  disappointed  and  vet  admiring  young  man  was  silent* 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  229 

though  he  watched  her  singularly  interesting  air  and  lovely 
features  with  all  the  intenseness  that  seemed  to  characterize 
her  own  deportment.  As  no  sound  followed  that  which  Alida 
had  heard  or  fancied  she  had  heard,  she  resumed  her  seat,  and 
appeared  to  lend  her  attention  once  more  to  her  companion. 

"  You  were  speaking  of  mountains  ?  "  she  said,  scarce  know 
ing  what  she  uttered.  "  The  passage  between  the  bays  of 
Newburg  and  Tappan  has  scarce  a  rival,  as  I  have  heard  from 
traveled  men." 

"  I  was  indeed  speaking  of  a  mountain,  but  it  was  of  one 
that  weighs  ou  my  heart.  Your  inexplicable  conduct  and  cruel 
indifference  have  heaped  it  on  my  feelings,  Alida.  You  have 
said  that  there  is  no  hope  for  Oloff  Van  Staats ;  and  one  sylla 
ble,  spoken  with  your  native- ingenuousness  and  sincerity,  has 
had  the  effect  to  blow  all  my  apprehensions  from  that  quarter 
to  the  winds.  There  remains  only  to  account  for  your  absence, 
to  resume  the  whole  of  your  power  over  one  who  is  but  too 
readily  disposed  to  confide  in  all  you  say  or  do." 

La  belle  Barberie  seemed  touched.  Her  glance  at  the  young 
sailor  was  kinder,  and  her  voice  wanted  some  of  its  ordinary 
steadiness  in  the  reply. 

"  That  power  has  then  been  weakened  ?  " 

6 '  You  will  despise  me  if  I  say  no — you  will  distrust  me  if  1 
say  yes." 

"  Then  silence  seems  the  course  best  adapted  to  maintain 
our  present  amity.  Surely  I  heard  a  blow  struck,  lightly,  on 
the  shutter  of  that  window  ?  '" 

1 '  Hope  sometimes  deceives  us.  This  repeated  belief  would 
seem  to  say  that  you  expect  a  visitor  ?  " 

A  distinct  tap  on  the  shutter  confirmed  the  impression  of  the 
mistress  of  the  pavilion.  Alida  looked  at  her  companion  and 
appeared  embarrassed.  Her  color  varied,  and  she  seemed 
anxious  to  utter  something  that  either  her  feelings  or  her  prud 
ence  suppressed. 

"  Captain  Ludlow,  you  have  once  before  been  an  unex 
pected  witness  of  an  interview  in  la  Cour  des  Fees,  that  has,  1 
fear;j  subjected  me  to  unfavorable  surmises.  But  one  manly  and 
generous  as  yourself  can  have  indulgence  for  the  little  vanities 
of  woman,  I  expect  a  visit  that,  perhaps,  a  queen's  officer 
should  not  countenance." 

"  I  am  no  exciseman,  to  pry  into  wardrobes  and  secret  re 
positories,  but  one  whose  duty  it  is  to  act  only  on  the  high- 
seas,  and  against  the  more  open  violators  of  the  law.  If  you 
have  any  without,  whose  presence  you  desire,  let  them  entei 


230  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

without  dread  of  my  office.  When  we  meet  in  a  more  suitable 
place,  I  shall  know  how  to  take  my  revenge." 

His  companion  looked  grateful,  and  bowed  her  acknowledg 
ments.  She  then  made  a  ringing  sound  by  using  a  spoon  on 
the  interior  of  one  of  the  vessels  of  the  tea  equipage.  The 
shrubbery  which  shaded  a  window  stirred ;  and  presently  the 
young  stranger,  already  so  well  known  in  the  former  pages  of 
this  work,  and  in  the  scenes  of  the  brigantine,  appeared  in  the 
low  balcony.  His  person  was  scarcely  seen,  before  a  light  bale 
of  goods  was  tossed  past  him,  into  the  centre  of  the  room. 

' 1 1  send  my  certificate  of  character  as  an  avant-courrier, ' ' 
said  the  gay  dealer  in  contraband,  or  Master  Seadrift,  as  he 
was  called  by  the  alderman,  touching  his  cap,  gallantly,  to  the 
mistress  of  la  Cour  des  Fees,  and  then  somewhat  more  cere 
moniously  to  her  companion  ;  after  which  he  returned  the  gold- 
bound  covering  to  its  seat,  on  a  bed  of  rich  and  glossy  curls, 
and  sought  his  package.  "  Here  is  one  more  customer  than  1 
bargained  for,  and  I  look  to  more  than  common  gain ! — We 
have  met  before,  Captain  Ludlow." 

"We  have,  Sir  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,  and  we  shall  meet 
again.  Winds  may  change,  and  fortune  yet  favor  the  right  !  " 

"We  trust  to  the  sea-green  lady's  care,"  returned  the  ex 
traordinary  smuggler,  pointing  with  a  species  of  reverence, 
real  or  affected,  to  the  image  that  was  beautifully  worked,  in 
rich  colors,  on  the  velvet  of  his  cap.  What  has  been  will  be, 
and  the  past  gives  a  hope  for  the  future.  We  meet,  here,  on 
neutral  ground,  I  trust." 

"I  am  the  commander  of  a  royal  cruiser,  sir,"  haughtily 
returned  the  other. 

"Queen  Anne  may  be  proud  of  her  servant!  But  we 
neglect  our  affairs. — A  thousand  pardons,  lovely  mistress  of  la 
Cour  des  Fees.  This  meeting  of  two  rude  mariners  does  a 
slight  to  your  beauty,  and  little  credit  to  the  fealty  due  the 
sex.  Having  done  with  all  compliments,  I  have  to  offer  cer 
tain  articles  that  never  failed  to  cause  the  brightest  eyes  to 
grow  more  brilliant,  and  at  which  duchesses  have  gazed  with 
many  longings." 

"  You  speak  with  confidence  of  your  associations,  Master 
Seadrift,  and  rate  noble  personages  among  your  customers  as 
familiarly  as  if  you  dealt  in  offices  of  state." 

"  This  skilful  servitor  of  the  queen  will  tell  you,  lady,  that 
the  wind  which  is  a  gale  on  the  Atlantic,  may  scarce  cool  the 
burning  cheek  of  a  girl  on  the  land,  and  that  the  links  in  life 
are  as  curiously  interlocked  as  the  ropes  of  a  ship.  The 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2$« 

Ephesian   temple  and  the  Indian  wigwam  rested  on  the  same 

earth  !  " 

"  From  which  you  infer  that  rank  does  not  alter  nature. 
We  must  admit,  Captain  Ludlow,  that  Master  Seadrift  under 
stands  a  woman's  heart,  when  he  tempts  her  with  stores  of 
tissues  gay  as  these  !  " 

Ludlow  had  watched  the  speakers  in  silence.  The  manner 
of  Alida  was  far  less  embarrassed,  than  when  he  had  before- 
seen  her  in  the  smuggler's  company ;  and  his  blood  fired,  when 
he  saw  that  their  eyes  met  with  a  secret  and  friendly  intelli 
gence.  He  had  remained,  however,  with  a  resolution  to  be 
calm,  and  to  know  the  worst.  Conquering  the  expression  ot 
his  feelings  by  a  great  effort,  he  answered  with  an  exterior  of 
composure,  though  not  without  some  of  that  bitterness  in  his 
emphasis  which  he  felt  at  his  heart. 

"If  Master  Seadrift  has  this  knowledge,  he  may  value  him 
self  on  his  good  fortune,"  was  the  reply. 

''Much  intercourse  with  the  sex,  'who  are  my  best  custo 
mers,  has  something  helped  me,"  returned  the  cavalier  dealer 
in  contraband.  "  Here  is  a  brocade,  whose  fellow  is  worn 
openly  in  the  presence  of  our  royal  mistress,  though  it  came 
from  the  forbidden  looms  of  Italy  ;  and  the  ladies  of  the  court 
return  from  patriotically  dancing,  in  the  fabrics  of  home,  to 
please  the  public  eye,  once  in  the  year,  to  wear  these  more 
agreeable  inventions,  all  the  rest  of  it,  to  please  themselves. 
Tell  me,  why  does  the  Englishman,  with  his  pale  sun,  spend 
thousands  to  force  a  sickly  imitation  of  the  gifts  of  the  tropics,, 
but  because  he  pines  for  forbidden  fruit  ?  or  why  does  your 
Paris  gourmand  voll  a  fig  on  his  tongue,  that  a  lazzarone  of 
Naples  would  cast  into  his  bay,  but  because  he  wishes  to  enjoy 
the  bounties  of  a  low  latitude,  under  a  watery  sky  ?  I  have 
seen  an  individual  feast  on  the  eau  sucree  of  a  European  pine, 
that  cost  a  guinea,  while  his  palate  would  have  refused  the 
same  fruit,  with  its  delicious  compound  of  acid  and  sweet,  mel 
lowed  to  ripeness  under  a  burning  sun,  merely  because  he 
could  have  it  for  nothing.  This  is  the  secret  of  our  patronage  ; 
and,  as  the  sex  are  most  liable  to  its  influence,  we  owe  them 
most  gratitude." 

"You  have  traveled,  Master  Seadrift,"  returned  la  Belle, 
smiling,  while  she  tossed  the  rich  contents  of  the  bale  on  the 
carpet,  "and  treat  of  usages  as  familiarly  as  you  speak  of 
dignities." 

"The  lady  of  the  sea-green  mantle  does  not  permit  an 
idle  servant,  We  follow  the  direction  of  her  guiding  hand; 


232  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

sometimes  it  points  our  course  among  the  isles  of  the  Adriatic, 
and  at  others  on  your  stormy' American  coasts.  There  is  lit 
tle  of  Europe  between  Gibraltar  and  the  Cattegat  that  I  have 
not  visited." 

"  But  Italy  has  been  the  favorite,  if  one  may  judge  by  the 
number  of  her  fabrics  that  you  produce." 

"  Italy,  France,  and  Flanders,  divide  my  custom ;  though 
you  are  right  in  believing  the  former  most  in  favor.  Many 
years  of  early  life  did  I  pass  on  the  noble  coasts  of  that 
romantic  region.  One  who  protected  and  guided  my  infancy 
and  youth  even  left  me  for  a  time  under  instruction  on  the 
little  plain  of  Sorrento." 

"  And  where  can  this  plain  be  found  ?  for  the  residence  of 
so  famous  a  rover  may,  one  day,  become  the  theme  of  song, 
and  is  likely  to  occupy  the  leisure  of  the  curious." 

"  The  grace  of  the  speaker  may  well  excuse  the  irony  ! 
Sorrento  is  a  town  on  the  southern  shore  of  the  renowned 
Naples  Bay.  Fire  has  wrought  many  changes  in  that  soft  but 
wild  country ;  and  if,  as  religionists  believe,  the  fountains  of 
the  great  deep  were  ever  broken  up,  and  the  earth's  crust 
disturbed,  to  permit  its  secret  springs  to  issue  on  the  surface, 
this  may  have  been  one  of  the  spots  chosen  by  him  whose 
touch  leaves  marks  that  are  indelible,  in  which  to  show  his 
power.  The  bed  of  the  earth  itself,  in  all  that  region,  ap 
pears  to  have  been  but  the  vomitings  of  volcanoes ;  and  the 
Sorrentine  passes  his  peaceable  life  in  the  bed  of  an  extin 
guished  crater.  'Tis  curious  to  see  in  what  manner  the  men 
of  the  middle  ages  have  built  their  town,  on  the  margin  of  the 
sea,  where  the  element  has  swallowed  one-half  the  ragged 
basin,  and  now  they  have  taken  the  yawning  crevices  of  the 
tufa  for  ditches  to  protect  their  walls  !  I  have  visited  many 
lands,  and  seen  Nature  in  nearly  every  clime ;  but  no  spot  has 
yet  presented,  in  a  single  view,  so  pleasant  a  combination  ol 
natural  objects,  mingled  with  mighty  recollections,  as  that 
lovely  abode  on  the  Sorrentine  cliffs  !  " 

' '  Recount  me  these  pleasures,  that  in  memory  seem  so 
agreeable,  while  I  examine  further  into  the  contents  of  the 
bale." 

The  gay  young  free-trader  paused,  and  seemed  lost  ir 
images  of  the  past.  Then,  with  a  melancholy  smile,  he  soon 
continued:  ''Though  many  years  are  gone,"  he  said,  "I 
can  recall  the  beauties  of  that  scene  as  vividly  as  if  they  stilS 
stood  before  the  eye.  Our  abode  was  on  the  verge  of  the 
cliffs.  In  front  lay  the  deep-blue  water,  and  on  its  farthw 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  233 

shore  was  a  une  of  objects  such  as  accident  or  design 
rarely  assembles  in  one  view.  Fancy  thyself,  lady,  at  my 
side,  and  follow  the  curvature  of  the  northern  shore,  as  I 
trace  the  outline  of  that  glorious  scene  !  That  high,  moun 
tainous,  and  ragged  island  on  the  extreme  left,  is  modern 
Ischia.  Its  origin  is  unknown,  though  piles  of  lava  lie  along 
its  coast,  which  seems  fresh  as  that  thrown  from  the  mountain 
yesterday.  The  long,  low  bit  of  land,  insulated  like  its  neigh 
bor,  is  called  Procida,  a  fcion  of  ancient  Greece.  Its  people 
still  preserve,  in  dress  arc  speech,  marks  of  their  origin.  The 
narrow  strait  conducts  3  c  u  to  a  high  and  naked  bluff.  That 
is  the  Misenum  of  old.  Here  ^Eneas  came  to  land,  and 
Rome  held  her  fleets,  and  thence  Pliny  took  the  water,  to  get 
a  nearer  view  of  the  labors  of  the  volcano,  after  its  awakening 
from  centuries  of  sleep.  In  the  hollow  of  the  ridge,  between 
that  naked  bluff  and  the  next  swell  of  the  mountain,  lie  the 
fabulous  Styx,  the  Elysian  fields,  and  the  place  of  the  dead, 
sis  fixed  by  the  Mantuan.  More  on  the  height  and  nearer  to 
the  sea,  lie,  buried  in  the  earth,  the  vast  vaults  of  the  Piscina 
Mirabilii,  and  the  gloomy  caverns  of  the  Hundred  Chambers  ; 
places  th^t  equally  denote  the  luxury  and  the  despotism  of 
Rome.  Nearer  to  the  vast  pile  of  castle,  that  is  visible  so 
many  leagues,  is  the  graceful  and  winding  Baiaean  harbor ; 
and  against  the  side  of  its  sheltering  hills  once  lay  the  city  of 
villas.  To  that  sheltered  hill,  emperors,  consuls,  poets,  and 
warriors,  crowded  from  the  capital,  in  quest  of  repose,  and  to 
breathe  the  pure  air  of  a  spot  in  which  pestilence  has  since 
made  its  abode.  The  earth  is  still  covered  with  the  remains 
of  their  magnificence,  and  ruins  of  temples  and  baths  are 
scattered  freely  among  the  olives  and  fig-trees  of  the  peasant. 
A  fainter  bluff  limits  the  northeastern  boundary  of  the  little 
bay.  On  it  once  stood  the  dwellings  of  emperors.  There 
Caesar  sought  retirement,  and  the  warm  springs  on  its  side  are 
yet  called  the  baths  of  the  bloody  Nero.  That  small,  conical 
hill,  which,  as  you  see,  possesses  a  greener  and  fresher  look 
than  the  adjoining  land,  is  a  cone  ejected  by  the  caldron 
beneath,  but  two  brief  centuries  since.  It  occupies,  in  part, 
the  site  of  the  ancient  Lucrine  lake.  All  that  remains  ot 
that  famous  receptacle  of  the  epicure  is  the  small  and  shallow 
sheet  at  its  base,  which  is  separated  from  the  sea  by  a  mere 
thread  of  sand.  More  in  the  rear,  and  surrounded  by  dreary 
hills,  lie  the  waters  of  Avernus.  On  their  banks  still  stand 
the  ruins  of  a  temple,  in  which  rites  were  celebrated  to  tne 
infornal  deities.  The  grotto  of  the  Sibyl  pierces  that  ridge  on 


234  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

the  left,  and  the  Cumaean  passage  is  nearly  in  its  rear.  The 
town  which  is  seen  a  mile  to  the  right,  is  Pozzuoli — a  port  of 
the  ancients,  and  a  spot  now  visited  for  its  temples  of  Jupiter 
and  Neptune,  its  mouldering  amphitheatre,  and  its  half-buried 
tombs.  Here  Caligula  attempted  his  ambitious  bridge,  and, 
while  crossing  thence  to  Baise,  the  vile  Nero  had  the  life  of 
his  own  mother  assailed.  It  was  there,  too,  that  holy  Paul 
came  to  land,  when  journeying  a  prisoner  to  Rome.  The 
small  but  high  island,  nearly  in  its  front,  is  Nisida,  the  place 
to  which  Marcus  Brutus  retired  after  the  deed  at  the  foot  of 
Pompey's  statue,  where  he  possessed  a  villa,  and  whence  he 
und  Cassius  sailed  to  meet  the  shade  and  the  vengeance  of  the 
.nurdered  Caesar,  at  Philippi.  Then  comes  a  crowd  of  sites 
more  known  in  the  middle  ages ;  though  just  below  that  moun 
tain,  in  the  back-ground,  is  the  famous  subterranean  road  of 
\»hich  Strabo  and  Seneca  are  said  to  speak,  and  through  which 
the  peasant  still  daily  drives  his  ass  to  the  markets  of  the 
modern  city.  At  its  entrance  is  the  reputed  tomb  of  Virgil, 
and  then  commences  an  amphitheatre  of  white  and  terraced 
dwellings.  This  is  noisy  Napoli  itself,  crowned  with  its  rocky 
castle  of  St.  Elmo  !  The  vast  plain,  to  the  right,  is  that 
which  held  the  enervating  Capua,  and  so  many  other  cities  on 
its  bosom.  To  this  succeeds  the  insulated  mountain  of  the 
volcano,  with  its  summit  torn  in  triple  tops.  'Tis  said  that 
viUas  and  villages,  towns  and  cities,  lie  buried  beneath  the 
vineyards  and  palaces  which  crowd  its  base.  The  ancient  and 
unhappy  city  of  Pompeii  stood  on  that  luckless  plain,  which, 
following  the  shores  of  the  bay,  comes  next ;  and  then  we 
take  up  the  line  of  the  mountain  promontory,  which  forms 
the  Sorrentine  side  of  the  water  !  " 

"  One  who  has  such  schooling,  should  know  better  how  to 
turn  it  to  a  good  account,"  said  Ludlow,  sternly,  when  the  ex- 
sited  smuggler  ceased  to  speak. 

"In  other  lands  men  derive  their  learning  from  books;  in 
Jtaly,  children  acquire  knowledge  by  the  study  of  visible 
things/'  was  the  undisturbed  answer. 

"Some  from  this  country  are  fond  of  believing  that  our 
own  bay,  these  summer  skies,  and  the  climate  in  general, 
should  have  a  strict  resemblance  to  those  of  a  region  which 
lies  precisely  in  our  own  latitude,"  observed  Alida,  so  hastily, 
as  to  betray  a  desire  to  preserve  the. peace  between  her  guests. 

t;  That  your  Manhattan  and  Raritan  waters  are  broad  and 
pkasant,  none  can  deny,  and  that  lovely  beings  dwell  on  then 
banks,  lady,"  returned  Seadrift,  gallantly  lifting  his  cap,  "  m? 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  235 

own  senses  have  witnessed.  But  'twere  wiser  to  select  some 
other  point  of  your  excellence,  for  comparison,  than  a  com 
petition  with  the  glorious  waters,  the  fantastic  and  mountain 
isles,  and  the  sunny  hillsides  of  modern  Napoli !  'Tis  certain 
the  latitude  is  even  in  your  favor,  and  that  a  beneficent  sun 
does  not  fail  of  its  office  in  one  region  more  than  in  the 
other.  But  the  forests  of  America  are  still  too  pregnant  of 
vapors  and  exhalations  not  to  impair  the  purity  of  the  native 
air.  If  I  have  seen  much  of  the  Mediterranean,  neither  am  I  a 
stranger  to  these  coasts.  While  there  are  so  many  points  of 
resemblance  in  their  climates  there  are  also  many  and  marked 
causes  of  difference.'" 

"Teach  us,  then,  what  forms  these  distinctions,  that,  in 
speaking  of  our  bay  and  skies,  we  may  not  be  led  into  error." 

"  You  do  me  honor,  lady ;  I  am  of  no  great  schooling,  and  of 
humble  powers  of  speech.  Still,  the  little  that  observation 
may  have  taught  me,  shall  not  be  churlishly  withheld.  Your 
Italian  atmosphere,  taking  the  humidity  of  the  seas,  is  some 
times  hazy.  Still  water  in  large  bodies,  other  than  in  the  two 
seas,  is  little  known  in  those  distant  countries.  Few  objects 
in  Nature  are  drier  than  an  Italian  river,  during  those  months 
when  the  sun  has  most  influence.  The  effect  is  visible  in  the 
air,  which  is  in  general  elastic,  dry,  and  obedient  to  the  general 
laws  of  the  climate.  There  floats  less  exhalation,  in  the  form 
of  fine  and  nearly  invisible  vapor,  than  in  these  wooded  re 
gions.  At  least,  so  he  of  whom  I  spoke,  as  one  who  guided 
my  youth,  was  wont  to  say." 

"  You  hesitate  to  tell  us  of  our  skies,  our  evening  light,  and 
of  our  bay?" 

"  It  shall  be  said,  and  said  sincerely — of  the  bays,  each 
seems  to  have  been  appropriated  to  that  for  which  Nature 
most  intended  it — the  one  is  poetic,  indolent,  and  full  of  grace 
ful  and  glorious  beauty ;  more  pregnant  of  enjoyment  than  of 
usefulness.  The  other  will,  one  day,  be  the  mart  of  the 
world  !  " 

"  You  ,-still  shrink  from  pronouncing  on  their  beauty,"  said 
Alida,  disappointed  in  spite  of  an  affected  indifference  to  the 
subject. 

"  It  is  ever  the  common  fault  of  old  communities  to  over 
value  themselves,  and  to  undervalue  new  actors  in  the  great 
drama  of  nations,  as  men  long  successful  disregard  the  effort 
of  new  aspirants  for  favor,"  said  Seadrift,  while  he  looked 
with  amazement  at  the  pettish  eye  of  the  frowning  beauty 
*"&  this  instance,  however,  Europe  has  not  so  greatly  erred. 


236  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

They  who  ice  much  resemblance  between  the  bay  of  Naplci 
and  this  of  Manhattan,  have  fertile  brains;  since  it  rests 
altogether  on  the  circumstance  that  there  is  much  water  in 
both,  and  a  passage  between  an  island  and  the  main-land,  in 
one,  to  resemble  a  passage  between  two  islands  in  the  other. 
This  is  an  estuary,  that  a  gulf;  and  while  the  former  has  the 
green  and  turbid  water  of  a  shelving  shore  and  of  tributary 
rivers,  the  latter  has  the  blue  and  limpid  element  of  the  deep 
sea.  In  these  distinctions,  I  take  no  account  of  ragged  and 
rocky  mountains,  with  the  indescribable  play  of  golden  and 
rosy  light  upon  their  broken  surfaces,  nor  of  a  coast  that  teems 
with  the  recollections  of  three  thousand  years  ! ' ' 

"  I  fear  to  question  more.  But  surely  our  skies  may  be 
mentioned,  even  by  the  side  of  those  you  vaunt?  " 

"  Of  the  skies  truly,  you  have  more  reason  to  be  confident. 
I  remember  that,  standing  on  the  Capo  di  Monte,  which  over 
looks  the  little,  picturesque,  and  crowded  beach  of  the  Marina 
Grande,  and  Sorrento,  a  spot  that  teems  with  all  that  is  poetic 
in  the  fisherman's  life,  he  of  whom  I  have  spoken  one*  pointed 
to  the  transparent  vault  above  and  said,  '  There  is  the  moon  oi 
America  ! '  The  colors  of  the  rocket  were  not  more  vivid 
than  the  stars  that  night,  for  a  Tramontana  had  swept  every 
impurity  from  the  air,  far  upon  the  neighboring  sea.  But 
nights  like  that  are  rare,  indeed,  in  any  clime  !  The  inhabi 
tants  of  low  latitudes  enjoy  them  occasionally  ;  those  of  higher  > 
never." 

"  Then  our  flattering  belief,  that  these  western  sunsets  riva* 
those  of  Italy,  is  delusion  ?  " 

"  Not  so,  lady.  They  rival  without  resembling.  The  color 
•f  the  etui,  on  which  so  fair  a  hand  is  resting,  is  not  softer 
than  the  hues  one  sees  in  the  heavens  of  Italy.  But  if  your 
evening  sky  wants  the  pearly  light,  the  rosy  clouds,  and  the 
soft  tints  which,  at  that  hour,  melt  into  each  other,  across  the 
entire  vault  of  Napoli,  it  far  excels  in  the  vividness  of  the 
glow,  in  the  depth  of  the  transitions,  and  the  richness  of 
colors.  Those  are  only  more  delicate,  while  these  are  more 
gorgeous  !  When  there  shall  be  less  exhalation  from  your 
forests,  the  same  causes  may  produce  the  same  effects.  Until 
then  America  must  be  content  to  pride  herself  on  an  exhibi 
tion  of  Nature's  beauty  in  a  new,  though  scarcely  in  a  less 
pleasing,  form." 

"  Then  they  who  come  among  us  from  Europe  are  but  half 
right  when  they  deride  rhe  pretensions  of  our  bay  and 
heavens?" 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

ei  Which  is  much  nearer  the  truth  than  they  are  wont  to  be, 
on  the  subject  of  this  continent.  Speak  of  the  many  rivers, 
the  double  outlets,  the  numberless  basins,  and  the  unequalled 
facilities  of  your  Manhattan  harbor ;  for  in  time  they  will 
come  to  render  all  the  beauties  of  the  unrivalled  bay  of  Naples 
vain  :  but  tempt  not  the  stranger  to  push  the  comparison  be 
yond.  Be  grateful  for  your  skies,  lady,  for  few  live  under 
fairer  or  more  beneficent.  But  I  tire  you  with  these  opinions, 
when  here  are  colors  that  have  more  charms  for  a  young  and 
lively  imagination  than  even  the  tints  of  Nature  !  " 

La  belle  Barberie  smiled  on  the  dealer  in  contraband  with 
an  interest  that  sickened  Ludlow  ;  and  she  was  about  to  reply, 
in  better  humor,  when  the  voice  of  her  uncle  announced  bif 
near  approach. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

«*  There  shall  be,  in  England,  seven  half-penny  loaves  sold  for  a  penny. 
The  three-hooped  pot  shall  have  ten  h joos ;  and  I  will  make  it  felony  to 
-drink  small  beer." 

JACK  CADE, 

HAD  Alderman  Van  Beverout  been  a  party  in  the  preceding 
dialogue,  he  could  not  have  uttered  words  more  apposite  than 
the  exclamation  with  which  he  first  saluted  the  ears  of  those  in 
the  pavilion. 

"  Gales  and  climates  !  "  exclaimed  the  merchant,  entering 
with  an  open  letter  in  his  hand.  "  Here  are  advices  received, 
by  way  of  Curacoa  and  the  coast  of  Africa,  that  the  goocf  ship 
Muskrat  met  with  foul  winds  off  the  Azores,  which  lengthened 
her  passage  home  to  seventeen  weeks — this  is  too  much 
precious  time  wasted  between  markets,  Captain  Cornelius 
Ludlow,  and  'twill  do  discredit  to  the  good  character  of  the 
ship,  which  has  hitherto  always  maintained  a  sound  reputation, 
never  needing  more  than  the  regular  seven  months  to  make  the 
voyage  home  and  out  again.  If  our  vessels  fall  into  this  lazy 
train,  we  shall  never  get  a  skin  to  Bristol  till  it  is  past  use. — 
What  have  we  here,  niece?  Merchandise!  and  of  a  suspi 
cious  fabric  ! — who  has  the  invoice  of  these  goods,  and  irt 
what  vessel  were  they  shipped  ?  " 

"  These  are  questions  that  may  be  better  answered  by  theii 
t>wner,"  returned  la  Belle,  pointing  gravely,  and  not  without 
tremor  in  1^*-  vo'.  ^.  toward  the  dealer  in  contraband,  who.  al 


338  THB    WATER-WITCH, 

the  approach  of  the  alderman,  had  shrunk  back  as  far  as  pos 
sible  from  view. 

Myndert  cast  an  uneasy  glance  at  the  unmoved  countenance 
of  the  commander  of  the  royal  cruiser,  after  having  bestowed 
a  brief  but  understanding  look  at  the  contents  of  the  bale. 
"  Captain  Ludlow,  the  chaser  is  chased  !  "  he  said.  "  After 
mailing  about  the  Atlantic,  for  a  week  or  more,  like  a  Jew 
Droker's  clerk  running  up  and  down  the  Boom  Key  at  Rotter 
dam,  to  get  off  a  consignment  of  damaged  tea,  we  are  fairly 
caught  ourselves  !  To  what  fall  in  prices,  or  change  in  the 
sentiments  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  am  I  indebted  for  the  honor 
of  this  visit,  Master  a — a — a — gay  dealer  in  green  ladies  and 
bright  tissues?  " 

The  confident  and  gallant  manner  of  the  free-trader  had 
vanished.  In  its  place  there  appeared  a  hesitating  and  em 
barrassed  air  that  the  individual  was  not  wont  to  exhibit, 
blended  with  some  apparent  indecision,  on  the  subject  of  hie 
reply. 

"It  is  the  business  of  those  who  hazard  much,  in  order  t€ 
minister  to  the  wants  of  life,"  he  said,  after  a  pause  that  wss 
sufficiently  expressive  of  the  entire  change  in  his  demeanor, 
"  to  seek  customers  where  there  is  a  reputation  for  liberality. 
I  hope  my  boldness  will  be  overlooked,  on  account  of  its 
motive,  and  that  you  will  aid  the  lady  in  judging  of  the  value 
of  my  articles,  and  of  their  reasonableness  as  to  price;  with 
your  own  superior  experience." 

Myndert  was  quite  as  much  astonished  by  this  language,  and 
the  subdued  manner  of  the  smuggler  as  Ludlow  himself. 
When  he  expected  the  heaviest  demand  on  his  address,  in 
order  to  check  the  usual  forward  and  reckless  familiarity  of 
Seadrift,  in  order  that  his  connection  with  the  "  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas >9  might  be  as  much  as  possible  involved  in  ambiguity, 
to  his  own  amazement  he  found  his  purpose  more  than  aided 
by  the  sudden  and  extraordinary  respect  with  which  he  was 
treated.  Emboldened,  and  perhaps  a  little  elevated  in  his  owa 
esteem,  by  this  unexpected  deference,  which  the  worthy  alder 
man,  shrewd  as  he  was  in  common,  did  not  fail,  like  otheff 
men,  to  impute  to  some  inherent  quality  of  his  own,  he  an 
swered  with  a  greater  depth  of  voice>  and  a  more  protecting 
air,  than  he  might  otherwise  have  deemed  it  prudent  to  assume 
to  one  who  had  so  frequently  given  him  proofs  of  his  own  fear 
less  manner  of  viewing  things. 

"  This  is  being  more  eager  as  a  trader  than  prudent  as  one 
who  should  know  the  value  of  cr-HUt."  be  said,  making, 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  239 

«ame  time,  a  lofty  gesture  to  betoken  indulgence  for  so  venial 
an  error.  "  We  must  overlook  the  mistake,  Captain  Ludlow, 
since,  as  the  young  man  truly  observes  in  his  defence,  gain  ac 
quired  in  honest  traffic  is  a  commendable  and  wholesome  pur- 
suit.  One  who  appears  as  if  he  might  not  be  ignorant  of  the 
laws,  should  know  that  our  virtuous  queen  and  her  wise  coun 
sellors  have  decided  that  Mother  England  can  produce  most 
that  a  colonist  can  consume  !  Ay  !  and  that  she  can  consume, 
too,  most  that  the  colonist  can  produce  !  " 

"  1  pretend  not  to  this  ignorance,  sir ;  but,  in  pursuing  my 
humble  barter,  I  merely  follow  a  principle  of  Nature,  by 
endeavoring  to  provide  for  my  own  interests.  We  of  the 
contraband  do  but  play  at  hazard  with  the  authorities.  When 
we  pass  the  gantlet  unharmed,  we  gain ;  and,  when  we  lose, 
the  servants  of  the  crown  find  their  profit.  The  stakes  are 
equal,  and  the  game  should  not  be  stigmatized  as  unfair. 
Would  the  rulers  of  the  world  once  remove  the  unnecessary 
shackles  they  impose  on  commerce,  our  calling  would  disap 
pear,  and  the  name  of  free-trader  would  then  belong  to  the 
richest  and  most  esteemed  houses.'1 

The  alderman  drew  a  long,  low  whistle.  Motioning  to  his 
companions  to  be  seated,  he  placed  his  own  compact  personin 
a  chair,  crossed  his  legs  with  an  air  of  self-complacency,  and 
resumed  the  discourse. 

"  These  are  very  pretty  sentiments,  Master—a — a — a— you 
bear  a  worthy  name  no  doubt,  my  ingenious  commentator  on 
commerce?*' 

"  They  call  me  Seadrift,  when  they  spare  a  harsher  term," 
returned  the  other,  meekly  declining  to  be  seated, 

"  These  are  pretty  sentiments,  Master  Seadrift,  and  they 
much  become  a  gentleman  who  lives  by  practical  comments  on 
the  revenue-laws. — This  is  a  wise  world,  Captain  Cornelius 
Ludlow,  and  in  it  there  are  many  men  whose  heads  are  filled, 
like  bales  of  goods,  with  a  general  assortment  of  ideas.  Horn 
books  and  primers  !  Here  have  Van  Bummel,  Schoenbroecks 
and  Van  der  Donck,  just  sent  me  a  very  neatly-folded  pam 
phlet,  written  in  good  Leyden  Dutch,  to  prove  that  trade  is  an 
exchange  of  what  the  author  calls  equivalents,  and  that 
nations  have  nothing  to  do  but  throw  open  their  ports,  in 
order  to  make  a  millennium  among  the  merchants !  " 

"  There  are  many  ingenious  men  who  entertain  the  same 
opinions,"  observed  Ludlew,  steady  in  his  resolutions  to  be 
merely  a  quiet  observer  of  all  that  passed. 

"  We  cannot  a  cunning  head  devise,  to  spoil  the  paper  withi 


240  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Trade  is  a  racer,  gentlemen,  and  merchants  the  jockeys  wh« 
ride.  He  who  carries  most  weight  may  lose;  but  then  nature 
does  not  give  all  men  the  same  dimensions,  and  judges  are  as 
necessary  to  the  struggles  of  the  mart  as  to  those  of  the  course. 
Go,  mount  your  gelding,  if  you  are  lucky  enough  to  have  one 
that  has  not  been  melted  into  a  weasel  by  the  heartless  blacks, 
and  ride  out  to  Harlaem  Flats,  on  a  fine  October  day,  and 
witness  the  manner  in  which  the  trial  of  speed  is  made.  The 
rogues  of  riders  cut  in  here,  and  over  there ;  now  the  whip 
•and  now  the  spur  ;  and,  though  they  start  fair,  which  is  more 
than  can  always  be  said  of  trade,  some  one  is  sure  to  win. 
When  it  is  neck  and  neck,  then  the  heat  is  to  be  gone  over, 
until  the  best  bottom  gains  the  prize." 

"  Why  is  it,  then,  that  men  of  deep  reflection  so  often  think 
that  commerce  flourishes  most  when  least  encumbered  ?  " 

"  Why  is  one  man  born  to  make  laws,  and  another  to  break 
them? — Does  not  the  horse  run  faster  with  his  four  legs  free, 
than  when  in  hopples?  But  in  trade,  Master  Seadrift,  and 
Captain  Cornelius  Ludlow,  each  of  us  is  his  own  jockey;  and, 
putting  the  aid  of  custom-house  laws  out  of  the  question,  just 
as  Nature  has  happened  to  make  him.  Fat  or  lean,  big  bones 
or  fine  bones,  he  must  get  to  the  goal  as  well  as  he  can.  There 
fore  your  heavy  weights  call  out  for  sand-bags  and  belts,  to 
make  all  even.  That  the  steed  may  be  crushed  with  his  load, 
is  no  proof  that  his  chance  of  winning  will  not  be  better  by 
bringing  all  the  riders  to  the  same  level." 

"  But  to  quit  these  similes,"  continued  Ludlow,  "if  trade 
be  but  an  exchange  of  equivalents — " 

"Beggary  and  stoppages!  "  interrupted  the  alderman,  who 
was  far  more  dogmatical  than  courteous  in  argument.  "  This 
is  the  language  of  men  who  have  read  all  sorts  of  books  but 
ledgers.  Here  have  I  advices  from  Tongue  and  Twaddle,  of 
London,  which  state  the  net  proceeds  of  a  little  adventure 
shipped  by  the  brig  Moose,  that  reached  the  river  on  the  i6th 
of  April,  ultimo.  The  history  of  the  whole  transaction  can 
be  put  in  a  child's  muff — you  are  a  discreet  youth,  Captain 
Cornelius ;  and  as  to  you,  Master  Seadrift,  the  affair  is  alto 
gether  out  of  your  line — therefore,  as  I  was  observing,  here 
are  the  items,  made  only  a  fortnight  since,  in  the  shape  of  a 
memorandum  ;  "  while  speaking,  the  aldermanvhad  placed  his 
spectacles  and  drawn  his  tablets  from  a  pocket.  Adjusting 
himself  to  the  light,  he  continued:  "Paid  bill  of  Sand,. 
Furnace,  and  Glass,  for  beads,  L.  3.  2.  6. — Package  and  box, 
*,  10^2 • — Shipping  charges,  and  freight,  u.  4. — Insurance, 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  24! 

averaged  at,  i.  5. — Freight,  charges,  and  commission  of  agen« 
among  Mohawks,  L.  10. — Do.  do.  do.  of  shipment  and  sale  of 
furs,  in  England,  L.  7.  2.  Total  of  costs  and  charges,  L.  20. 
19.  i%,  all  in  sterling  money.  Note,  sale  of  furs,  to  Frost 
and  Rich,  net  avails,  L.  196.  n.  3. — Balance,  as  per  contra, 
L.  175.  12  $y2. — A  very  satisfactory  equivalent  this,  Master 
Cornelius,  to  appear  on  the  books  of  Tongue  and  Twaddle, 
where  I  stand  charged  with  the  original  investment  of  L.  2oc 
19.  \y2  \  How  much  the  empress  of  Germany  may  pay  the 
firm  of  Frost  and  Rich  for  the  articles,  does  not  appear." 

' '  Nor  does  it  appear  that  more  was  got  for  your  beads,  in 
the  Mohawk  country,  than  they  were  valued  at  there,  cr  was 
paid  for  the  skins  than  they  were  worth  where  they  were  pro 
duced." 

"  Whe — w — w — w  ! "  whistled  the  merchant,  as  he  returned 
the  tablets  to  his  pocket. 

"One  would  think  that  thou  hadst  been  studying  the  Ley- 
den  pamphleteer,  son  of  my  old  friend  !  If  the  savage  thinks 
so  little  of  his  skins,  and  so  much  of  my  beads,  I  shall  never 
take  the  pains  to  set  him  right ;  else,  always  by  permission  of 
the  Board  of  Trade,  we  shall  see  him,  one  day,  turning  his 
bark  canoe  into  a  good  ship,  and  going  in  quest  of  his  own  or 
naments.  Enterprise  and  voyages  !  Who  knows  but  that  the 
rogue  would  see  fit  to  stop  at  London,  even  ;  in  which  case  the 
mother-country  might  lose  the  profit  of  the  sale  at  Vienna,  and 
the  Mohawk  set  up  his  carriage,  on  the  difference  in  the  value 
of  markets  !  Thus,  you  see,  in  order  to  run  a  fair  race,  the 
horses  must  start  even,  carry  equal  weights,  and,  after  all,  one 
commonly  wins.  Your  metaphysics  are  no  better  than  so  much 
philosophical  gold  leaf,  which  a  cunning  reasoner  beats  out 
into  a  sheet  as  large  as  the  broadest  American  lake,  to  make 
dunces  believe  the  earth  can  be  transmuted  into  the  precious 
material ;  while  a  plain  practical  man  puts  the  value  of  the 
metal  into  his  pocket  in  good  current  coin." 

"And  yet  I  hear  you  complain  that  Parliament  has  legis 
lated  more  than  is  good  for  trade,  and  speak  in  a  manner  of 
the  proceedings  at  home,  that,  you  will  excuse  me  for  saying, 
would  better  become  a  Hollander  than  a  subject  of  the  crown." 

"  Have  I  not  told  you,  that  the  horse  will  run  faster  without 
the  rider  than  with  a  pack-saddle  en  his  back?  Give  your 
own  jockey  as  little,  and  your  adversary's  as  much  weight  as 
you  can,  if  you  wish  to  win.  I  complain  of  the  borough-men, 
because  they  make  laws  for  us,  and  not  for  themselves.  As  1 
16 


342  THE  WATER-WITCH: 

often  tell  my  worthy  friend,  Alderman  Gulp,  eating  is  good  fot 
life,  but  the  surfeit  makes  a  will  necessary." 

"  From  all  which  I  infer,  that  the  opinions  of  your  Leyden 
correspondent  are  not  those  of  Mr.  Van  Beverout." 

The  alderman  laid  a  finger  on  his  nose,  and  looked  at  his 
companions,  for  a  moment,  without  answering. 

"  Those  Leydeners  are  a  sagacious  breed  !  If  the  United 
Provinces  had  but  ground  to  stand  on,  they  would,  like  the 
philosopher  who  boasted  of  his  lever,  move  the  world  1  The 
sly  rogues  think  that  the  Amsterdammers  have  naturally  an 
easy  seat,  and  they  wish  to  persuade  all  others  to  ride  bare 
back.  I  shall  send  a  pamphlet  up  into  the  Indian  country, 
and  pay  some  scholar  to  have  it  translated  into  the  Mohawk 
tongue,  in  order  that  the  famous  chief  Schendoh,  when  the 
missionaries  shall  have  taught  him  to  read,  may  entertain  right 
views  of  equivalents  !  I  am  not  certain  that  I  may  not  make 
the  worthy  divines  a  present  to  help  the  good  fruits  to  ripen." 

The  alderman  leered  round  upon  his  auditors,  and,  folding 
his  hands  meekly  on  his  breast,  he  appeared  to  leave  his  elo 
quence  to  work  its  own  effects. 

"  These  opinions  favor  but  little  the  occupation  of  the — the 
gentleman — who  now  honors  us  with  his  company,"  said  Lud- 
low,  regarding  the  gay-looking  smuggler  with  an  eye  that 
showed  how  much  he  was  embarrassed  to  find  a  suitable  appel 
lation  for  one  whose  appearance  was  so  much  at  variance  with 
his  pursuits.  "  If  restrictions  are  necessary  to  commerce,  the 
lawless  trader  is  surely  left  without  an  excuse  for  his  calling." 

"  I  as  much  admire  your  discretion  in  practice  as  the  justice 
of  your  sentiments  in  theory,  Captain  Ludlow,"  returned  the 
alderman.  "In  a  rencontre  on  the  high  seas,  it  would  be 
your  duty  to  render  captive  the  brigantine  of  this  person  ;  but, 
in  what  may  be  called  the  privacy  of  domestic  retirement,  you 
are  content  to  ease  your  mind  in  moralities  !  I  feel  it  my 
duty,  too,  to  speak  on  this  point,  and  shall  take  so  favorable 
an  occasion,  when  all  is  pacific,  to  disburden  myself  of  some 
sentiments  that  suggest  themselves  very  naturally  under  the 
circumstances."  Myndert  then  turned  himself  toward  the 
dealer  in  contraband,  and  continued,  much  in  the  manner  of 
a  city  magistrate  reading  a  lesson  of  propriety  to  some  dis 
turber  of  the  peace  of  society.  "You  appear  here,  Master 
Seadrift,"  he  said,  "  under  what,  to  borrow  a  figure  from  your 
profession,  may  be  called  false  colors.  You  bear  the  counte 
nance  of  one  who  might  be  a  useful  subject,  and  yet  are  you 
suspected  of  being  addicted  to  certain  practices  which — 1  will 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  343 

not  say  they  are  dishonest  or  even  discreditable — for  on  thai 
head  the  opinions  of  men  are  much  divided,  but  which  cer 
tainly  have  no  tendency  to  assist  her  majesty  in  bringing  he? 
wars  to  a  glorious  issue,  by  securing  to  her  European  domin 
ions  that  monopoly  of  trade  by  which  it  is  her  greatest  desire 
to  ease  us  of  the  colonies  of  looking  any  further  after  our  par 
ticular  interests,  than  beyond  the  doors  of  her  own  custom 
houses.  This  is  an  indiscretion,  to  give  the  act  its  gentlest  ap 
pellation  ;  and  I  regret  to  add,  it  is  accompanied  by  certain 
circumstances  which  rather  heighten  than  lessen  the  delin 
quency."  The  alderman  paused  a  moment  to  observe  the  ef 
fect  of  his  admonition,  and  to  judge,  by  the  eye  of  the  free 
trader,  how  much  further  he  might  push  his  artifice ;  but  per 
ceiving,  to  his  own  surprise,  that  the  other  bent  his  face  to  the 
floor,  and  stood  like  one  rebuked,  he  took  courage  to  proceed. 
'"  You  have  introduced  into  this  portion  of  my  dwelling,  which 
is  exclusively  inhabited  by  my  niece,  who  is  neither  of  a  sex 
nor  of  years  to  be  legally  arraigned  for  any  oversight  of  this 
nature,  sundries  of  which  it  is  the  pleasure  of  the  queen's  ad- 
risers  that  her  subjects  in  the  colonies  should  not  know  the 
use,  since,  in  the  nature  of  fabrications,  they  cannot  be  sub 
mitted  to  the  supervising  care  of  the  ingenious  artisans  of  the 
mother  island.  Woman,  Master  Seadrift,  is  a  creature  liable 
to  the  influence  of  temptation,  and  in  a  few  things  is  she 
weaker  than  in  her  efforts  to  resist  the  allurements  of  articles 
which  may  aid  in  adorning  her  person.  My  niece,  the  daugh 
ter  of  Etienne  Barberie,  may  also  have  an  hereditary  weakness 
on  this  head,  since  the  females  of  France  study  these  inven 
tions  more  than  those  of  some  other  countries.  It  is  not  my 
intention,  however,  to  manifest  any  unreasonable  severity; 
since,  if  old  Etienne  has  communicated  any  hereditary  feeble 
ness  on  the  subject  of  fancy,  he  has  also  left  his  daughter  the 
means  of  paying  for  it.  Hand  in  your  account,  therefore, 
and  the  debt  shall  be  discharged,  if  debt  has  been  incurred. 
And  this  brings  me  to  the  last  and  the  gravest  of  your  of 
fences. 

' '  Capital  is  no  doubt  the  foundation  on  which  a  merchant 
builds  his  edifice  of  character,"  continued  Myndert,  after 
taking  another  jealous  survey  of  the  countenance  of  him  h«, 
addressed  ;  "  but  credit  is  the  ornament  of  its  front.  This  is 
a.  corner-stone ;  that  the  pilasters  and  carvings  by  which  the 
building  is  rendered  pleasant ;  sometimes,  when  age  has  under 
mined  the  basement,  it  is  the  columns  on  which  the  super 
structure  rests,  or  ev»n  the  roof  by  which  the  occupant  V 


244  T&&   WATER-WiTCH. 

sheltered.  It  renders  the  rich  man  safe,  the  dealer  of  moder 
ate  means  active  and  respectable,  and  it  causes  even  the  poor  man 
to  hold  up  his  head  in  hope ;  though  I  admit  that  buyer  and 
seller  need  both  be  wary,  when  it  stands  unsupported  by  any 
substantial  base.  This  being  the  value  of  credit,  Master  Sea- 
drift,  none  should  assail  it  without  sufficient  cause,  for  itf 
quality  is  of  a  nature  too  tender  for  rude  treatment.  I  learned, 
when  a  youth,  in  my  travels  in  Holland,  through  which 
country,  by  means  of  the  treck-schuyts,  I  passed  with  suffi 
cient  deliberation  to  profit  by  what  was  seen,  the  importance 
of  avoiding,  on  all  occasions,  bringing  credit  into  disrepute. 
As  one  event  that  occurred  offers  an  opposite  parallel  to  what 
I  have  now  to  advance,  I  shall  make  a  tender  of  the  facts  in 
the  way  of  illustration.  The  circumstances  show  the  awful 
uncertainty  of  things  in  this  transitory  life,  Captain  Ludlow, 
and  forewarn  the  most  vigorous  and  youthful,  that  the  strong 
arm  may  be  cut  down,  in  his  pride,  like  the  tender  plant  of 
the  fields  !  The  banking-house  of  Van  Gelt  and  Van  Stopper, 
in  Amsterdam,  had  dealt  largely  in  the  securities  issued  by 
the  emperor  for  the  support  of  his  wars.  It  happened,  at  the 
time,  that  fortune  had  favored  the  Ottoman,  who  was  then 
pressing  the  city  of  Belgrade  with  some  prospects  of  success. 
Well,  sir,  a  head-strong  and  ill-advised  laundress  had  taken 
possession  of  ah  elevated  terrace  in  the  centre  of  the  town,  in 
order  to  dry  her  clothes.  This  woman  was  in  the  act  of  com 
mencing  the  distribution  of  her  linens  and  muslins,  with  the 
break  of  day,  when  the  Mussulmans  awoke  the  garrison  by  a 
rude  assault.  Some,  who  had  been  posted  in  a  position  that 
permitted  of  retreat,  having  seen  certain  bundles  of  crimson, 
and  green,  and  yellow,  on  an  elevated  parapet,  mistook  them 
for  the  heads  of  so  many  Turks  ;  and  they  spread  the  report, 
far  and  near,  that  a  countless  band  of  infidels,  led  on  by  a 
vast  number  of  sherriffes  in  green  turbans,  had  gained  the 
heart  of  the  place,  before  they  were  induced  to  retire.  The 
rumor  soon  took  the  shape  of  a  circumstantial  detail,  and, 
having  reached  Amsterdam,  it  caused  the  funds  of  the  imperi 
alists  to  look  down.  There  was  much  question,  on  the  ex 
change,  concerning  the  probable  loss  of  Van  Gelt  and  Van 
Stopper  in  consequence.  Just  as  speculation  was  at  its  great 
est  height  on  this  head,  the  monkey  of  a  Savoyard  escaped 
from  its  string,  and  concealed  itself  in  a  nut-shop,  a  few  doors 
distant  from  the  banking-house  of  the  firm,  where  a  crowd  of 
Jew  boys  collected  to  witness  its  antics.  Men  of  reflection, 
.seeing  what  they  mistook  for  a  demonstration  on  the  DM! 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  245 

of  the  children  of  the  Israelites,  began  to  feel  uneasiness  fox. 
their  own  property.  Drafts  multiplied ;  and  the  worthy. 
bankers,  in  order  to  prove  their  solidity,  disdained  to  shut  their 
doors  at  the  usual  hour.  Money  was  paid  throughout  the 
night  j  and  before  noon  on  the  following  day  Van  Gelt  had 
cut  his  throat,  in  a  summer-house  that  stood  on  the  banks  of 
the  Utrecht  canal ;  and  Van  Stopper  was  seen  smoking  a  pipe. 
among  strong  boxes  that  were  entirely  empty.  At  two  o'clock^ 
the  post  brought  the  intelligence  that  the  Mussulmans  were  re 
pulsed,  and  that  the  laundress  was  hanged  ;  though  I  never 
knew  exactly  for  what  crime,  as  she  certainly  was  not  a  debtor 
of  the  unhappy  firm.  These  are  some  of  the  warning  events 
of  life,  gentlemen  ;  and,  as  I  feel  sure  of  addressing  those 
who  are  capable  of  making  the  application,  I  shall  now  con 
clude  by  advising  all  who  hear  me  to  great  discretion  of  speech 
on  every  matter  connected  with  commercial  character." 

When  Myndert  ceased  speaking,  he  threw  another  glance 
around  him,  in  order  to  note  the  effect  his  words  had  pro 
duced,  and  more  particularly  to  ascertain  whether  he  had 
not  drawn  a  draft  on  the  forbearance  of  the  free-trader,  which 
might  still  meet  with  a  protest.  He  was  at  a  loss  to  account 
for  the  marked  and  unusual  deference  with  which  he  was  treated, 
by  one  who,  while  he  was  never  coarse,  seldom  exhibited 
much  complaisance  for  the  opinions  of  a  man  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  meeting  so  familiarly,  on  matters  of  pecuniary  in 
terest.  During  the%  whole  of  the  foregoing  harangue,  the 
young  mariner  of  the  brigantine  had  maintained  the  same  at 
titude  of  modest  attention ;  and  when  his  eyes  were  permitted 
to  rise,  it  was  only  to  steal  uneasy  looks  at  the  face  of  Alida. 
La  belle  Barbaric  had  also  listened  to  her  uncle's  eloquence 
with  a  more  thoughtful  air  than  common.  She  met  the  oc 
casional  glances  of  the  dealer  in  contrabrand,  with  answering 
sympathy;  and,  in  short,  the  most  indifferent  observer  of 
their  deportment  might  have  seen  that  circumstances  had 
created  between  them  a  confidence  and  intelligence  which,  if 
it  were  not  absolutely  of  the  most  tender,  was  unequivocally 
of  the  most  intimate,  character.  All  this  Ludlow  plainly  saw, 
though  the  burgher  had  been  too  much  engrossed  with  the 
ideas  he  had  so  complacently  dealt  out  to  note  the  fact. 

"  Now  that  my  mind  is  so  well  stored  with  maxims  on  com 
merce,  which  I  shall  esteem  as  so  many  commentaries  on  the 
.instructions  of   my  Lords  of  the  Admiralty,"   observed  the 
captain,  after  a  brief  interval  of  silence,  "  it  may  be  permitted 
to  turn  our  attention  to  things  less  metaphysical.     The  present 


346  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

occasion  is  favorable  to  inquire  after  the  fate  of  the  shipmate 
we  lost  in  the  last  cruise ;  and  it  ought  not  to  be  neglected." 

"  You  speak  truth,  Mr.  Cornelius — the  patroon  of  Kinder- 
hook  is  not  a  man  to  fall  into  the  sea,  like  an  anker  of  forbid 
den  liquor,  and  no  questions  asked.  Leave  this  matter  to  my 
discretion,  sir ;  and,  trust  me,  the  tenants  of  the  third  best 
estate  in  the  colony  shall  not  long  be  without  tidings  of  their 
landlord.  If  you  will  accompany  Master  Seadrift  into  the 
other  part  of  the  villa  for  a  reasonable  time,  I  shall  possess 
myself  of  all  the  facts  that  are  at  all  pertinent  to  the  right 
understanding  of  the  case." 

The  commander  of  the  royal  cruiser,  and  the  young  mariner 
of  the  brigantine,  appeared  to  think  that  a  compliance  with 
this  invitation  would  bring  about  a  singular  association.  The 
hesitation  of  the  latter,  however,  was  far  the  most  visible, 
since  Ludlow  had  coolly  determined  to  maintain  his  neutral 
character,  until  a  proper  moment  to  act,  as  a  faithful  servitor 
of  his  royal  mistress,  should  arrive.  He  knew,  or  firmly  be 
lieved,  that  the  Water-Witch  again  lay  in  the  cove,  concealed 
by  the  shadows  of  the  surrounding  wood ;  and,  as  he  had  once 
before  suffered  by  the  superior  address  of  the  smugglers,  he 
was  now  resolved  to  act  with  so  much  caution  as  to  enable  him 
to  return  to  his  ship  in  time  to  proceed  against  her  with  decis 
ion,  and,  as  he  hoped,  with  effect.  In  addition  to  this  motive 
for  artifice,  there  was  that  in  the  manner  and  language  of  the 
contraband  dealer  to  place  him  altogether  above  the  ordinary 
men  of  his  pursuit,  and  indeed  to  create  in  his  favor  a  certain 
degree  of  interest,  which  the  officer  of  the  crown  was  com 
pelled  to  admit.  He  therefore  bowed  with  sufficient  courtesy, 
and  professed  his  readiness  to  follow  the  suggestions  of  the 
alderman. 

"We  have  met  on  neutral  ground,  Master  Seadrift,"  said 
Ludlow  to  his  gay  companion,  as  they  quitted  the  saloon  of 
la  Cour  des  Fees ;  "  and,  though  bent  on  different  objects, 
we  may  discourse  amicably  on  the  past.  The  '  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas '  has  a  reputation  in  his  way,  that  almost  raises  him 
to  the  level  of  a  seaman  distinguished  in  a  better  service.  I 
will  ever  testify  to  his  skill  and  coolness  as  a  mariner,  however 
much  I  may  lament  that  those  fine  qualities  have  received  so 
unhappy  a  direction." 

"  This  is  speaking  with  a  becoming  reservation  for  the  rights 
of  the  crown,  and  with  meet  respect  for  the  Barons  of  the 
Exchequer,"  retorted  Seadrift,  whose  former,  and  we  may  say 
natural,  spirit  seemed  to  return,  as  he  left  the  presence  of  the 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  24? 

burgher.  "  We  follow  the  pursuit,  Captain  Ludlow,  in  which 
accident  has  cast  our  fortunes.  You  serve  a  queen  you  never 
saw,  and  a  nation  who  will  use  you  in  her  need,  and  despise 
you  in  her  prosperity  j  and  I  serve  myself.  Let  reason  decide 
between  us." 

* '  I  admire  this  frankness,  sir,  and  have  hopes  of  a  better 
understanding  between  us,  now  that  you  have  done  with  the 
mystifications  of  your  sea-green  woman.  The  farce  has  been 
well  enacted  ;  though,  with  the  exception  of  Oloff  Van  Staats 
and  those  enlightened  spirits  you  lead  about  the  ocean,  it  has 
not  made  many  converts  to  necromancy." 

The  free-trader  permitted  his  handsome  mouth  to  relax  in 
a  smile. 

"  We  have  our  mistress,  too,"  he  said  ;  "  but  she  exacts  no 
tribute.  All  that  is  gained  goes  to  enrich  her  subjects,  while 
all  that  she  knows  is  cheerfully  imparted  for  their  use.  If  we 
are  obedient,  it  is  because  we  have  experienced  her  justice  and 
wisdom.  I  hope  Queen  Anne  deals  as  kindly  by  those  who 
risk  life  and  limb  in  her  cause?  " 

"  Is  it  part  of  the  policy  of  her  you  follow,  to  reveal  the 
fate  of  the  Patroon  ;  for  though  rivals  in  one  dear  object — or 
rather  I  should  say,  once  rivals  in  that  object — I  cannot  see  a 
guest  quit  my  ship  with  so  little  ceremony,  without  an  interest 
in  his  welfare." 

"  You  make  a  just  distinction,*'  returned  Seadrift,  smiling 
still  more  meaningly — "  once  rivals  is  indeed  the  better  ex 
pression.  Mr.  Van  Staats  is  a  brave  man,  however  ignorant 
he  may  be  of  the  seaman's  art.  One  who  has  shown  so  much 
spirit  will  be  certain  of  protection  from  personal  injury,  in  the 
care  of  the  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas.'  " 

"  I  do  not  constitute  myself  the  keeper  of  Mr.  Van  Staats ; 
still,  as  the  commander  of  the  ship  whence  he  has  been — what 
shall  I  term  the  manner  of  his  abduction  ? — for  I  would  not 
willingly  use,  at  this  moment,  a  term  that  may  prove  disagree 
able—" 

"  Speak  freely,  sir,  and  fear  not  to  offend.  We  of  the  brig- 
antine  are  accustomed  to  divers  epithets  that  might  startle  less 
practised  ears.  We  are  not  to  learn,  at  this  late  hour,  that  in 
order  to  become  respectable,  roguery  must  have  the  sanction 
of  government.  You  were  pleased,  Captain  Ludlow,  to  name 
the  mystifications  of  the  Water-Witch ;  but  you  seem  in 
different  to  those  that  are  hourly  practised  near  you  in  the 
world,  and  which,  without  the  pleasantry  of  this  of  ours,  have 
not  half  its  innocwce.11 


248  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"There  is  little  novelty  in  the  expedient  of  seeking  to 
justify  the  delinquency  of  individuals  by  the  failings  of 
society." 

•'I  confess  it  is  rather  just  than  original.  Triteness  and 
truth  appear  to  be  sisters  !  And  yet  do  we  find  ourselves 
driven  to  this  apology,  since  the  refinement  of  us  of  the  brig- 
antine  has  not  yet  attained  to  the  point  of  understanding  all 
the  excellence  of  novelty  in  morals." 

"  I  believe  there  is  a  mandate  of  sufficient  antiquity,  which 
bids  us  to  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  which  are  Csesar's." 

"A  mandate  which  our  modern  Caesars  have  most  liberally 
construed  !  I  am  a  poor  casuist,  sir  ;  nor  do  I  think  the  loyal 
commander  of  the  Coquette  would  wish  to  uphold  all  that 
sophistry  can  invent  on  such  a  subject.  If  we  begin  with 
potentates,  for  instance,  we  shall  find  the  Most  Christian  King 
bent  on  appropriating  as  many  of  his  neighbors'  goods  to  his 
own  use  as  ambition,  under  the  name  of  glory,  can  covet ;  the 
Most  Catholic,  covering  with  the  mantle  of  his  Catholicity  a 
greater  multitude  of  enormities,  on  this  very  continent,  than 
•even  charity  itself  could  conceal ;  and  our  own  gracious  sover 
eign,  whose  virtues  and  whose  mildness  are  celebrated  in  verse 
and  prose,  causing  rivers  of  blood  to  run,  in  order  that  the  little 
island  over  which  she  rules  may  swell  out,  like  the  frog  in  the 
fable,  to  dimensions  that  Nature  has  denied,  and  which  will 
one  day  inflict  the  unfortunate  death  that  befell  the  ambitious 
inhabitants  of  the  pool.  The  gallows  awaits  the  pickpocket ; 
but  your  robber  under  a  pennant  is  dubbed  a  knight  !  The 
man  who  amasses  wealth  by  gainful  industry  is  ashamed  of 
his  origin  ;  while  he  who  has  stolen  from  churches,  laid 
villages  under  contribution,  and  cut  throats  by  thousands,  to 
divide  the  spoils  of  a  galleon  or  a  military  chest,  has  gained 
gold  on  the  highway  of  glory  !  Europe  has  reached  an  ex 
ceeding  pass  of  civilization,  it  may  not  be  denied  ;  but,  be 
fore  society  inflicts  so  severe  censure  on  the  acts  of  individ 
uals,  notwithstanding  the  triteness  of  the  opinion,  I  must  say 
it  is  bound  to  look  more  closely  to  the  example  it  sets,  in  its 
collective  character." 

"  These  are  points  on  which  our  difference  of  opinion  is 
likely  to  be  lasting,"  said  Ludlow,  assuming  the  severe  air  of 
•one  who  had  the  world  on  his  side.  "  We  will  defer  the  dis 
cussion  to  a  moment  of  greater  leisure,  sir.  Am  I  to  learn 
more  of  Mr.  Van  Staats,  or  is  the  question  of  his  fate  to  be 
come  the  subject  of  a  serious  official  inquiry?  " 

"  The  Patroon  of  Kinderhook  is  a  bold  boarder  !  "  returned 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  24$ 

the  free-trader,  laughing.  "He  has  carried  the  residence  of 
the  lady  of  the  brigantine  by  a  coup-de-main  ;  and  he  reposes 
on  his  laurels  !  We  of  the  contraband  are  merrier  in  our 
privacy  than  is  thought,  and  those  who  join  our  mess  seldom, 
wish  to  quit  it." 

"  There  may  be  occasion  to  look  further  into  its  mysteries — 
until  then,  I  wish  you  adieu." 

"  Hold  !  "  gayly  cried  the  other,  observing  that  Ludlow 
iffas  about  to  quit  the  room — "  Let  the  time  of  our  uncertainty 
be  short,  I  pray  thee.  Our  mistress  is  like  the  insect  which 
takes  the  color  of  the  leaf  on  which  it  dwells.  You  have  seen 
her  in  her  sea-green  robe,  which  she  never  fails  to  wear  when 
roving  over  the  soundings  of  your  American  coast;  but,  in 
the  deep  waters,  her  mantle  vies  with  the  blue  of  the  ocean's 
depths.  Symptoms  of  a  change,  which  always  denote  an  in 
tended  excursion  far  beyond  the  influence  of  the  land,  have 
been  seen  !  " 

"Harkee,  Master  Seadrift  !  This  foolery  may  do,  while 
you  possess  the  power  to  maintain  it.  But  remember  that, 
though  the  law  only  punishes  the  illegal  trader  by  confiscation 
of  his  goods  when  taken,  it  punishes  the  kidnapper  with  per 
sonal  pains,  sometimes  with — death  !  And  more — remember 
that  the  line  which  divides  smuggling  from  piracy  is  easily 
passed,  while  the  return  becomes  impossible." 

"  For  this  generous  counsel,  in  my  mistress's  name,  I  thank 
thee,"  the  gay  mariner  replied,  bowing  with  a  gravity  that 
rather  heightened  than  concealed  his  irony.  "  Your  Coquette 
is  broad  in  the  reach  of  her  booms,  and  swift  on  the  water, 
Captain  Ludlow ;  but  let  her  be  capricious,  wilful,  deceitful, 
nay  powerful,  as  she  may,  she  shall  find  a  woman  in  the  brig 
antine  equal  to  all  her  arts,  and  far  superior  to  all  her 
threats  !  " 

With  this  prophetic  warning  on  the  part  of  the  queen's 
officer,  and  cool  reply  on  that  of  the  dealer  in  contraband,  the 
two  sailors  separated.  The  latter  took  a  book  and  threw  him- 
lelf  into  a  chah,  with  a  well-maintained  indifference;  while 
th«  other  left  the  house,  in  a  haste  that  was  not  disguised. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  interview  between  Alderman  Van 
Beverout  and  his  niece  still  continued.  Minute  passed  after 
minute,  yet  there  was  no  summons  to  the  pavilion.  The  gay 
young  seaman  of  the  brigantine  had  continued  his  studies  for 
some  time  after  the  disappearance  of  Ludlow,  and  he  now  evi 
dently  awaited  an  intimation  that  his  presence  was  required  in 
la  Cour  des  Fees.  During  these  moments  of  anxiety,  the  ail 


2$O  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

of  the  free-trader  was  sorrowful  rather  than  impatient ;  and, 
when  a  footstep  was  heard  at  the  door  of  the  room,  he  be- 
t rayed  symptoms  of  strong  and  uncontrollable  agitation.  It 
v/as  the  female  attendant  of  Alida  who  entered,  presented  a 
slip  of  paper,  and  retired.  The  eager  expectant  read  the  fol 
lowing  words,  hastily  written  in  pencil : 

"  I  have  evaded  all  his  questions,  and  he  is  more  than  half 
disposed  to  believe  in  necromancy.  This  is  not  the  moment 
to  confess  the  truth,  for  he  is  not  in  a  condition  to  hear  it,  be 
ing  already  much  disturbed  by  the  uncertainty  of  what  may 
follow  the  appearance  of  the  brigantine  on  the  coast,  and  so 
near  his  own  villa.  But,  be  assured,  he  shall  and  will  acknowl 
edge  claims  that  I  know  how  to  support,  and  which,  should  I 
fail  of  establishing,  he  would  not  dare  to  refuse  to  the  re 
doubtable  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas.'  Come  hither,  the  moment 
you  hear  his  foot  in  the  passage." 

The  last  injunction  was  soon  obeyed.  The  alderman  entered 
by  one  door,  as  the  active  fugitive  retreated  by  another;  and 
where  the  weary  burgher  expected  to  see  his  guests,  he  found 
an  empty  apartment.  This  last  circumstance,  however,  gave 
Myndert  Van  Beverotit  but  little  surprise  and  no  concern,  as 
would  appear  by  the  indifference  with  which  he  noted  the  cir 
cumstance. 

"  Vagaries  and  womanhood  !".  thought,  rather  than  mut 
tered,  the  alderman.  "  The  jade  turns  like  a  fox  in  his  tracks, 
and  it  would  be  easier  to  convict  a  merchant  who  values  his 
reputation,  of  a  false  invoice,  than  this  minx  of  nineteen  of 
an  indiscretion  !  There  is  so  much  of  old  Etienne  and  his 
Norman  blood  in  her  eye,  that  one  does  not  like  to  provoke 
extremities ;  but  here,  when  I  expected  Van  Staats  had  prof 
ited  by  his  opportunity,  the  girl  looks  like  a  nun  at  the  men 
tion  of  his  name.  The  patroon  is  no  Cupid,  we  must  allow  ; 
or,  in  a  week  at,  sea,  he  would  have  won  the  heart  of  a  mer 
maid  ! — Ay — and  here  are  more  perplexities,  by  the  return  of 
the  Skimmer  and  his  brig,  and  the  notions  that  young  Ludlow 
has  of  his  duty.  Life  and  morality  !  One  must  quit  trade  at 
some  time  or  other,  and  begin  to  close  the  books.  I  must 
seriously  think  of  striking  a  final  balance.  If  the  sum-total 
was  a  little  more  in  my  favor,  it  should  be  done  to-mor« 
low  ! " 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  *** 


•  CHAPTER  XXV. 

/ 

*  Thou,  Julia,  thou  hast  metamorphosed  me ; 

Made  me  neglect  my  studies,  lose  my  time, 

War  with  good  counsel,  set  the  world  at  naught." 

Two  GENTLEMAN  OF  VERONA, 

LUDLOW  quitted  the  Lust  in  Rust  with  a  wavering  purpose. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  the  preceding  interview,  he  had 
jealously  watched  the  eye  and  features  of  la  belle  Barberie ; 
and  he  had  not  failed  to  draw  his  conclusions  from  the  mien 
that  too  plainly  expressed  a  deep  interest  in  the  free-trader. 
For  a  time,  only,  had  he  been  induced,  by  the  calmness  and 
self-possession  with  which  she  received  her  uncle  and  himself, 
to  believe  that  she  had  not  visited  the  Water-Witch  at  all ;  but 
when  the  gay  and  reckless  being  who  governed  the  movements 
of  that  extraordinary  vessel  appeared,  he  could  no  longer 
flatter  himself  with  this  hope.  He  now  believed  that  her 
choice  for  life  had  been  made ;  and,  while  he  deplored  the  in 
fatuation  which  could  induce  so  gifted  a  woman  to  forget  her 
station  and  character,  he  was  himself  too  frank  not  to  see  that 
the  individual  who  had  in  so  short  a  time  gained  this  ascen 
dency  over  the  feelings  of  Alida,  was  in  many  respects  fitted 
to  exercise  a  powerful  influence  over  the  imagination  of  a 
youthful  and  secluded  female. 

There  was  a  struggle  in  the  mind  of  the  young  commander,, 
between  his  duty  and  his  feelings.  Remembering  the  artifice 
by  which  he  had  formerly  fallen  into  the  power  of  the  smug 
glers,  he  had  taken  his  precautions  so  well  in  the  present  visit 
to  the  villa,  that  he  firmly  believed  he  had  the  person  of  his 
lawless  rival  at  his  mercy.  To  avail  himself  of  this  advantage, 
or  to  retire  and  leave  him  in  possession  of  his  mistress  and  his 
liberty,  was  the  point  mooted  in  his  thoughts.  Though  direct 
and  simple  in  his  habits,  like  most  of  the  seaman  of  that  age, 
Ludlow  had  all  the  loftier  sentiments  that  become  a  gentleman. 
He  felt  keenly  for  Alida,  and  he  shrank,  with  sensivitive  pride, 
from  incurring  the  imputation  of  having  acted  under  the  im 
pulses  of  disappointment.  T<  >  these  motives  of  forbearance, 
Was  also  to  be  added  the  in  icrent  reluctance  which,  as  an 
officer  of  rank,  he  felt  to  tlv  degradation  of  being  employed 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

in  a  duty  that  more  properly  belongs  to  men  of  less  elevated 
ambition.  He  looked  on  himself  as  a  defender  of  the  rights 
and  glory  of  his  sovereign,  and  not  as  a  mercenary  instrument 
of  those  who  collected  her  customs ;  and  though  he  would  not 
have  hesitated  to  incur  any  rational  hazard,  in  capturing 
the  vessel  of  the  smuggler,  or  in  making  captives  of  all 
or  any  of  her  crew  on  their  proper  element,  he  dis 
liked  the  appearance  of  seeking  a  solitary  individual  on  the 
iand.  In  addition  to  this  feeling,  there  was  his  own  pledge 
that  he  met  the  prescribed  dealer  in  contraband  on  neutral 
ground.  Still  the  officer  of  the  queen  had  his  orders,  and  he 
could  not  shut  his  eyes  to  the  general  obligations  of  duty, 
The  brigantine  was  known  to  inflict  so  much  loss  on  the  reve 
nue  of  the  crown,  more  particularly  in  the  other  hemisphere, 
that  an  especial  order  had  been  issued  by  the  admiral  of  the 
station  for  her  capture.  Here,  then,  was  an  opportunity  of 
depriving  the  vessel  of  that  master-spirit  which,  notwithstand 
ing  the  excellence  of  its  construction,  had  alone  so  long 
enabled  it  to  run  the  gantlet  of  a  hundred  cruisers  with  im 
punity.  Agitated  by  these  contending  feelings  and  reflect  ions, 
the  young  sailor  left  the  door  of  the  villa,  and  came  upon  its 
little  lawn,  in  order  to  reflect  with  less  interruption,  and,  in 
deed,  to  breathe  more  freely. 

The  night  had  advanced  into  the  first  watch  of  the  seaman. 
The  shadow  of  the  mountain,  however,  still  covered  the 
grounds  of  the  villa,  the  river,  and  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic, 
with  a  darkness  that  was  deeper  than  the  obscurity  which 
dimmed  the  surface  of  the  rolling  ocean  beyond.  Objects 
were  so  indistinct  as  to  require  close  and  steady  looks  to  as 
certain  their  character,  while  the  setting  of  the  scene  might  be 
faintly  traced  by  its  hazy  and  indistinct  outlines.  The  cur 
tains  of  la  Cour  des  Fees  had  been  drawn,  and,  though  the 
lights  were  still  shining  within,  the  eye  could  not  penetrate 
the  pavilion.  Ludlow  gazed  about  him,  and  held  his  way  re 
luctantly  toward  the  water. 

In  endeavoring  to  conceal  the  interior  of  her  apartment  from 
the  eyes  of  those  without,  Alida  had  suffered  a  corner  of  the 
drapery  to  remain  open.  When  Ludlow  reached  the  gate 
that  led  to  the  landing,  he  turned  to  take  a  last  look  at  the 
villa;  and,  favored  by  his  new  position,  he  caught  a  glimpse, 
through  the  opening,  of  the  person  of  her  who  was  still  up 
permost  in  his  thoughts. 

La  belle  Barberie  was  seated  i  t  the  little  table  by  whose  side 
«he  had  been  found  earlier  in  th  >  evening.  An  elbow  rested 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2$$ 

on  the  precious  wood,  and  one  fair  hand  supported  a  brow 
that  was  thoughtful  beyond  the  usual  character  of  its  expres 
sion,  if  not  melancholy.  The  commander  of  the  Coquette  felt 
the  blood  rushing  to  his  heart,  for  he  fancied  that  the  beauti 
ful  and  pensive  countenance  was  that  of  a  penitent.  It  is 
probable  that  the  idea  quickened  his  drooping  hopes  ;  for  Lud 
low  believed  it  might  not  yet  be  too  late  to  rescue  the  woman 
he  so  sincerly  loved,  from  the  precipice  over  which  she  was 
suspended.  The  seemingly  irretrievable  step  already  taken 
was  forgotten ;  and  the  generous  young  sailor  was  about  to 
rush  back  to  la  Cour  des  Fees,  to  implore  its  mistress  to  be  just 
to  herself,  when  the  hand  fell  from  her  polished  brow,  and 
Alida  raised  her  face,  with  a  look  which  denoted  that  she 
was  no  longer  alone.  The  captain  drew  back  to  watch  the 
issue. 

When  Alida  lifted  her  eyes,  it  was  in  kindness,  and  with 
that  frank  ingenuousness  with  which  an  unperverted  female 
greets  the  countenance  of  those  who  have  her  confidence.  She 
smiled,  though  still  in  sadness  rather  than  in  pleasure ;  and 
she  spoke,  but  the  distance  prevented  her  words  from  being 
audible.  At  the  next  instant  Seadrift  moved  into  the  space 
visible  through  the  half-drawn  drapery,  and  took  ker  hand. 
Alida  made  no  effort  to  withdraw  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  she 
looked  up  into  his  face  with  still  less  equivocal  interest,  and 
appeared  to  listen  to  his  voice  with  an  absorbed  attention.  The 
gate  swung  violently  open,  and  Ludlow  had  reached  the 
margin  of  the  river  before  he  again  paused* 

The  barge  of  the  Coquette  was  found  where  her  commander 
had  ordered  his  people  to  lie  concealed,  and  he  was  about  to 
enter  it,  when  the  noise  of  the  little  gate,  again  shutting  with 
the  wind,  induced  him  to  cast  a  look  behind.  A  human 
form  was  distinctly  to  be  seen,  against  the  light  walls  of  the 
villa,  descending  toward  the  river.  The  men  were  commanded 
to  keep  close,  and,  withdrawing  within  the  shadow  of  a  fence^ 
the  captain  waited  the  approach  of  the  new  comer. 

As  the  unknown  person  passed,  Ludlow  recognized  the  agile 
form  of  the  free-trader.  The  latter  advanced  to  the  margin  ot 
the  river,  and  gazed  warily  about  him  for  several  minutes.  A 
low  but  distinct  note,  on  a  common  ship's  call,  was  then 
heard.  The  summons  was  soon  succeeded  by  the  appearance 
of  a  small  skiff,  which  glided  out  of  the  grass  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  stream,  and  approached  the  spot  where  Seadrift 
awaited  its  arrival.  The  free-trader  sprang  lightly  into  the 
little  boat,  which  immediately  began  to  glide  out  of  the  riv« 


354  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

As  the  skiff  passed  the  spot  where  he  stood,  Ludlow  saw  thai 
it  was  pulled  by  a  single  seaman ;  and,  as  his  own  boat  was 
manned  by  six  lusty  rowers,  he  felt  that  the  person  of  the  man 
whom  he  so  much  envied  was  at  length  fairly  and  honorably 
in  his  power.  We  shall  not  attempt  to  analyze  the  emotion 
that  was  ascendant  in  the  mind  of  the  young  officer.  It  is 
enough  for  our  purpose  to  add,  that  he  was  soon  in  his  boat 
and  in  full  pursuit. 

As  the  course  to  be  taken  by  the  barge  was  diagonal  rather 
than  direct,  a  few  powerful  strokes  of  the  oars  brought  it  so 
near  the  skiff,  that  Ludlow,  by  placing  his  hand  on  the  gun- 
whale  of  the  latter,  could  arrest  its  progress. 

"Though  so  lightly  equipped,  fortune  favors  you  less  in 
boats  than  in  larger  craft,  Master  Seadrift,"  said  Ludlow, 
when,  by  virtue  of  a  strong  arm,  he  had  drawn  his  prize  so 
near  as  to  find  himself  seated  within  a  few  feet  of  his  prisoner. 
"  We  meet  on  our  proper  element,  where  there  can  be  no 
neutrality  between  one  of  the  contraband  and  a  servant  of  the 
queen." 

The  start,  the  half-repressed  exclamation,  and  the  ma 
mentary  silence,  showed  that  the  captive  had  been  taken  com 
pletely  by  surprise. 

"  I  admit  your  superior  dexterity,"  he  at  length  said,  speak* 
ing  low  and  not  without  agitation.  "  I  am  your  prisoner,. 
Captain  Ludlow ;  and  I  would  now  wish  to  know  your  in 
tentions  in  disposing  of  my  person?  " 

"  That  is  soon  answered.  You  must  be  content  to  take  the 
homely  accommodations  of  the  Coquette  for  the  night,  instead 
of  the  more  luxurious  cabin  of  your  Water- Witch.  What  the 
authorities  of  the  province  may  decide  to-morrow,  it  exceeds 
the  knowledge  of  a  poor  commander  in  the  navy  to  say." 

"  The  Lord  Cornbury  has  retired  to — ?  " 

"A  jail,"  said  Ludlow,  observing  that  the  other  spoke  more 
like  one  who  mused  than  like  one  wko  asked  a  question. 
"The  kinsman  of  our  gracious  queen  speculates  on  the 
chances  of  human  fortune,  within  the  walls  of  a  prison.  His 
successor,  the  brigadier  Hunter,  is  thought  to  have  less 
sympathy  for  the  moral  infirmities  of  human  nature  !  " 

"We  deal  lightly  with  dignities  !  "  exclaimed  the  captive, 
with  all  his  former  gayety  of  tone  and  manner.  "  You  have 
your  revenge  for  some  personal  liberties  that  were  certainly 
taken,  not  a  fortnight  since,  with  this  boat  and  her  crew , 
still,  I  much  mistake  your  character  if  unnecessary  severity 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Forms  one  of  its  features.  May  I  communicate  with  the 
brigantine  ? ' ' 

"  Freely — when  she  is  once  in  the  care  of  a  queen's 
officer." 

"Oh,  sir,  you  disparage  the  qualities  of  my  mistress,  in 
supposing  there  exists  a  parallel  with  your  own  !  The 
Water-Witch  will  go  at  large  till  a  far  different  personage 
shall  become  your  captive. — May  I  communicate  with  the 
shore?" 

"To  that  there  exists  no  objection — if  you  will  point  out 
the  means." 

"  I  have  one,  here,  who  will  prove  a  faithful  messenger." 

"  Too  faithful  to  the  delusion  which  governs  all  your  fol 
lowers  \  Your  man  must  be  your  companion  in  the  Coquette, 
Master  Seadrift,  though,"  and  Ludlow  spoke  in  melancholy, 
"  if  there  be  any  on  the  land  who  take  so  near  an  interest  in 
your  welfare  as  to  find  more  sorrow  in  uncertainty  than  in 
the  truth,  one  of  my  own  crew,  in  any  of  whom  confidence 
may  be  placed,  shall  do  your  errand." 

"Let  it  be  so,"  returned  the  free-trader,  as  if  satisfied  that 
he  could,  in  reason,  expect  no  more.  "  Take  this  ring  to  the 
lady  of  yonder  dwelling,"  he  continued,  when  Ludlow  had 
selected  the  messenger,  "  and  say  that  he  who  sends  it  is 
about  to  visit  the  cruiser  of  Queen  Anne  in  company  with  her 
commander.  Should  there  be  question  of  the  motive,  you  can 
speak  to  the  manner  of  my  arrest." 

"And  mark  me,  fellow — "  added  the  captain  ;  "  that  duty- 
dene,  look  to  the  idlers  on  the  shore,  and  see  that  no  boat 
quits  the  river,  to  apprise  the  smugglers  of  their  loss." 

The  man,  who  was  armed  in  the  fashion  of  a  seaman  on 
boat  duty,  received  these  orders  with  the  customary  deference ; 
and,  the  barge  having  drawn  to  the  shore  for  that  purpose,  he 
landed. 

* '  And  now,  Master  Seadrift,  having  thus  far  complied  with 
your  wishes,  I  may  expect  you  will  not  be  deaf  to  mine. 
Here  is  a  seat  at  your  service  in  my  barge,  and  I  confess  it 
will  please  me  to  see  it  occupied." 

As  the  captain  spoke,  he  reached  forth  an  arm,  partly  in 
natural  complaisance,  and  partly  with  a  carelessness  that  de 
noted  some  consciousness  of  the  difference  in  their  rank,  both 
to  aid  the  other  to  comply  with  his  request,  and,  at  need, 
to  enforce  it.  But  the  free-trader  seemed  to  repel  the 
familiarity ;  for  he  drew  back,  at  first,  like  one  who  shrank 
sensitively  from  the  contact,  and  then,  without  touching  the 


256  THE    WATER-WITCH, 

arm  that  was  extended  with  a  purpose  so  equivocal,  he  passed 
lightly  from  the  skiff  into  the  barge,  declining  assistance.  The 
movement  was  scarcely  made,  before  Ludlow  quitted  the  lat 
ter,  and  occupied  the  place  which  Seadrift  had  just  vacated. 
He  commanded  one  of  his  men  to  exchange  with  the  seaman 
of  the  brigantine;  and,  having  made  these  preparations,  he 
again  addressed  his  prisoner. 

"I  commit  you  to  the  care  of  my  cockswain  and  these 
worthy  tars,  Master  Seadrift.  We  shall  steer  different  ways. 
You  will  take  possession  of  my  cabin,  where  all  will  be  at 
your  disposal ;  ere  the  middle  watch  is  called,  I  shall  be  there, 
to  prevent  the  pennant  from  coming  down,  and  your  sea-green 
flag  turned  the  people's  heads  from  their  allegiance." 

Ludlow  then  whispered  his  orders  to  his  cockswain,  and  they 
separated.  The  barge  proceeded  to  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
with  the  long  and  stately  sweep  of  the  oars  that  marks  the  prog 
ress  of  a  man-of-war's  boat;  while  the  skiff  followed  noise 
lessly,  and,  aided  by  its  color  and  dimensions,  nearly  in 
visible. 

When  the  two  boats  entered  the  waters  of  the  bay,  the 
barge  held  on  its  course  toward  the  distant  ship;  while  the 
skiff  inclined  to  the  right,  and  steered  directly  for  the  bottom 
of  the  cove.  The  precaution  of  the  dealer  in  contraband  had 
provided  his  little  boat  with  muffled  sculls ;  and  Ludlow,  when 
he  was  enabled  to  discover  the  fine  tracery  of  the  lofty  and 
ught  spars  of  the  Water-Witch,  as  they  arose  above  the  tops  of 
£ne  dwarf  trees  that  line  the  shore,  had  no  reason  to  think  his 
approach  was  known.  Once  assured  of  the  presence  and  posi 
tion  of  the  brigantine,  he  was  enabled  to  make  his  advances 
with  all  the  caution  that  might  be  necessary. 

Some  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  were  required  to  bring  the  skiff 
beneath  the  bowsprit  of  the  beautiful  craft,  without  giving  the 
ilarm  to  those  who  doubtless  were  watching  on  her  decks. 
The  success  of  our  adventurer,  however,  appeared  to  be  com 
plete  ;  for  he  was  soon  holding  by  the  cable,  and  not  the 
.smallest  sound  of  any  kind  had  been  heard  in  the  brigantine. 
Ludlow  now  regretted  he  had  not  entered  the  cove  with  his 
barge ;  tor,  so  profound  and  unsuspecting  was  the  quiet  of  the 
vessel,  that  he  doubted  not  his  ability  to  have  carried  her  by  a 
coup-de-main.  Vexed  by  his  oversight,  and  excited  by  the 
prospects  of  success,  he  began  to  devise  those  expedients  which 
would  naturally  suggest  themselves  to  a  seaman  in  his  situa 
tion. 

The  wind  was  southerly,  and,  though  not  strong,    it  was 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

charged  with  the  dampness  and  heaviness  of  the  night  air.  As 
the  brigantine  lay  protected  from  the  influence  of  the  tides, 
she  obeyed  the  currents  of  the  other  element ;  and,  while  her 
bows  looked  outward,  her  stern  pointed  toward  the  bottom  of 
the  basin.  The  distance  from  the  land  was  not  fifty  fathoms, 
and  Lucllow  did  not  fail  to  preceive  that  the  vessel  rode  by  a 
kedge,  and  that  her  anchors,  of  which  there  was  a  good  provi 
sion,  were  all  snugly  stowed.  These  facts  induced  the  hope 
that  he  might  separate  the  hawser  that  alone  held  the  brigan 
tine,  which,  in  the  event  of  his  succeeding,  he  had  every 
reason  to  believe  would  drift  ashore,  before  the  alarm  could  be 
given  to  the  crew,  sail  set,  or  an  anchor  let  go.  Although 
neither  he  nor  his  companion  possessed  any  other  implement 
to  effect  this  object  than  the  large  seaman's  knife  of  the  latter, 
the  temptation  was  too  great  not  to  make  the  trial.  The  pro 
ject  was  flattering ;  for,  though  the  vessel  in  that  situation 
would  receive  no  serious  injury,  the  unavoidable  delay  of  heav 
ing  her  off  the  sand  would  enable  his  boats,  and  perhaps  the 
ship  herself,  to  reach  the  place  in  time  to  secure  their  prize. 
The  bargeman  was  asked  for  his  knife,  and  Ludlow  himself 
made  the  first  cut  upon  the  solid  and  difficult  mass.  The  steel 
had  no  sooner  touched  the  compact  yarns,  than  a  dazzling 
glare  of  light  shot  into  the  face  of  him  who  held  it.  Recover 
ing  from  the  shock  and  rubbing  his  eyes,  our  startled  adven 
turer  gazed  upward,  with  that  consciousness  of  wrong  which 
assails  ns  when  detected  in  any  covert  act,  however  laudable 
may  be  its  motive  ;  a  sort  or  homage  that  Nature,  under  every 
circumstance,  pays  to  loyal  dealings. 

Though  Ludlow  felt,  at  the  instant  of  this  interruption,  that 
he  stood  in  jeopardy  of  his  life,  the  concern  it  awakened  was 
momentarily  lost  in  the  spectacle  before  him.  The  bronzed 
and  unearthy  features  of  the  image  were  brightly  illuminated  ; 
and,  while  her  eyes  looked  on  him  steadily,  as  if  watching  his 
smallest  movement,  her  malign  and  speaking  smile  appeared 
to  turn  his  futile  effort  into  scorn  !  There  was  no  need  to  bid 
the  seaman  at  the  oars  do  his  duty.  No  sooner  did  he  catch 
the  expression  of  that  mysterious  face,  than  the  skiff  whirled 
away  from  the  spot,  like  a  seafowl  taking  wing  under  alarm. 
Though  Ludlow  at  each  moment  expected  a  shot,  even  the 
imminence  of  the  danger  did  not  prevent  him  from  gazing,  in 
absorbed  attention,  at  the  image.  The  light  by  which  it  wai 
illumined,  though  condensed,  powerful,  and  steadily  cast, 
wavered  a  little,  and  exhibited  her  attire.  Then  the  captais 
8aw  the  truth  of  what  Seadrift  had  asserted  ;  for  by  some  proc- 


25 8  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

ess  of  the  machine  into  which  he  had  not  leisure  to  inquire, 
the  sea-green  mantle  had  been  changed  for  a  slighter  robe  oi 
the  azure  of  the  deep  waters.  As  if  satisfied  with  having  be 
trayed  the  intention  of  the  sorceress  to  depart,  the  light  imme 
diately  vanished. 

"  This  mummery  is  well  maintained,"  muttered  Ludlow, 
when  the  skiff  had  reached  a  distance  that  assured  him  oi 
safety.  "  Here  is  a  symptom  that  the  rover  means  soon  to  qui£ 
the  coast.  The  change  of  dress  is  some  signal  to  his  supersti 
tious  and  deluded  crew.  It  is  my  task  to  disappoint  his  mis 
tress,  as  he  terms  her,  though  it  must  be  confessed  that  she 
does  not  sleep  at  her  post." 

During  the  ten  succeeding  minutes,  our  foiled  adventurer 
had  leisure,  no  less  than  motive,  to  feel  how  necessary  is  suc 
cess  to  any  project  whose  means  admit  of  dispute.  Had  the 
hawser  been  cut  and  the  brigantine  stranded,  it  is  probable 
that  the  undertaking  of  the  captain  would  have  been  accounted 
among  those  happy  expedients  which,  in  all  pursuits,  are 
thought  to  distinguish  the  mental  efforts  of  men  particularly 
gifted  by  Nature ;  while,  under  the  actual  circumstances,  he 
who  would  have  reaped  all  the  credit  of  so  felicitous  an  idea, 
was  mentally  chafing  with  the  apprehension  that  his  unlucky 
design  might  become  known.  His  companion  was  no  ether 
than  Robert  Yarn,  the  foretop-man,  who,  on  a  former  occa 
sion,  had  been  heard  to  affirm  that  he  had  already  enjoyed  so 
singular  a  view  of  the  lady  of  the  brigantine,  while  assisting  to 
furl  the  foretop-sail  of  the  Coquette. 

' '  This  has  been  a  false  board,  Master  Yarn, "  observed  the 
captain,  when  the  skiff  was  past  the  entrance  of  the  cove,  and 
some  distance  down  the  bay;  "for  the  credit  of  our  cruise, 
we  will  not  enter  the  occurrence  in  the  log.  You  understand 
me,  sir  ;  I  trust  a  word  is  sufficient  for  so  shrewd  a  wit  ? " 

'  *  I  hope  I  know  my  duty,  your  honor,  which  is  to  obey 
orders,  though  it  may  break  owners,"  returned  the  topman. 
"  Cutting  a  hawser  with  a  knife  is  but  slow  work  in  the  best 
of  times ;  but  though  one  who  has  little  right  to  speak  in  the 
presence  of  a  gentleman  so  well  taught,  it  is  my  opinion  that 
the  steel  is  not  yet  sharpened  which  is  to  part  any  rope  aboard 
yon  rover,  without  the  consent  of  the  black-looking  woman 
under  her  bowsprit." 

"And  what  is  the  opinion  of  the  berth-deck  concerinng 
this  strange  brigantine,  that  we  have  so  long  been  following 
without  success  ? " 

"That  we  shall  follow  her  till  the  last  biscuit  is  eaten,  and 


THE  "WATER.trfTC&.  259 

the  scuttle-butt  shall  be  dry,  with  no  better  fortune.  It  is  not 
my  business  to  teach  your  hono^  but  there  is  not  a  man  in  the 
ship  who  ever  expects  to  be  a  farthing  the  better  for  her  cap 
ture.  Men  are  of  many  minds  concerning  the  *  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas  ;  '  but  all  are  agreed  that,  unless  aided  by  some  un 
common  luck,  which  may  amount  to  the  same  thing  as  being 
helped  by  him  who  seldom  lends  a  hand  to  any  honest  under-' 
taking,  he  is  altogether  such  a  seaman  as  another  like  him  does 
not  sail  the  ocean  !  " 

"  I  am  sorry  that  my  people  should  have  reason  to  think  so 
meanly  of  our  own  skill.  The  ship  has  not  yet  had  a  fair 
chance.  Give  her  an  open  sea,  and  capful  of  wind,  and  she')l 
defy  all  the  black  women  that  the  brigantine  can  stow.  As  to 
your  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,'  man  or  devil,  he  is  our 


"  And  does  your  honor  believe  that  the  trim-built  and  light- 
sailing  gentleman  we  overhauled  in  this  skiff  is  in  truth  that 
renowned  rover?  "  asked  Yarn,  resting  on  his  sculls  in  the  in 
terest  of  the  moment.  '  '  There  are  some  on  board  the  ship 
who  maintain  that  the  man  in  question  is  taller  than  the  big 
tide-waiter  at  Plymouth,  with  a  pair  of  shoulders  —  ; 

"  I  have  reason  to  know  that  they  are  mistaken.  If  we  are 
more  enlightened  than  our  shipmates,  Master  Yarn,  let  us  be 
close-mouthed,  that  others  do  not  steal  our  knowledge  —  hold, 
here  is  a  crown  with  the  face  of  King  Louis  ;  he  is  our  bitter 
est  enemy,  and  you  may  swallow  him  whole,  if  you  please,  or 
take  him  in  morsels,  as  shall  best  suit  your  honor.  But  remem 
ber  that  our  cruise  in  the  skiff  is  under  secret  orders,  and  the 
less  we  say  about  the  anchor-watch  of  the  brigantine  the  bet 
ter." 

Honest  Bob  took  the  piece  of  silver  with  a  gusto  that  no 
opinions  of  the  marvellous  could  diminish  ;  and,  touching  his 
hat,  he  did  not  fail  to  make  the  usual  protestations  of  discre 
tion.  That  night  the  messmates  and  the  foretop-man  endeav 
ored  in  vain  toextract  from  him  the  particulars  of  his  excur 
sion  with  the  captain;  though  the  direct  answers  to  their 
home  questions  were  only  evaded  by  allusions  so  dark  and 
ambiguousastogivetothat  superstitious  feelingofthe  crew, 
which  Ludlow  had  wished  to  lull,  twice  its  original  force. 

Not  long  after  this  dialogue,  the  skiff  reached  the  side  of 
the  Coquette.  Her  commander  found  his  prisoner  in  pos 
session  of  his  own  cabin,  and,  though  grave  if  not  sad  in  de 
meanor,  perfectlyself-possessed.  His  arrival  had  produced 
a  deep  effect  on  officers  and  men,  though,  like  Yarn,  most 


j6o  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

/>f  both  classes  refused  to  believe  that  the  handsome  and  gayly< 
Attired  youth  they  had  been  summoned  to  receive  was  the  no* 
torious  dealer  in  contraband. 

Light  observers  of  the  forms  under  which  human  qualities 
are  exhibited  too  often  mistake  their  outward  signs.  Though 
it  is  quite  in  reason  to  believe  that  he  who  mingles  much  in 
rude  and  violent  scenes  should  imbibe  some  of  their  rough  and 
repelling  aspects,  still  it  would  seem  that,  as  the  stillest  waters 
commonly  conceal  the  deepest  currents,  so  the  powers  to 
awaken  extraordinary  events  are  not  unfrequently  cloaked  un 
der  a  chastened  and  sometimes  under  a  cold  exterior.  It  has 
often  happened  that  the  most  desperate  and  self-willed  men 
are  those  whose  mien  and  manners  would  give  reason  to  ex 
pect  the  mildest  and  most  tractable  dispositions ;  while  he 
who  has  seemed  a  lion  sometimes  proves,  in  his  real  nature, 
to  be  little  better  than  a  lamb. 

Ludlow  had  reason  to  see  that  the  incredulity  of  his  topman 
had  extended  to  most  on  board  ;  and,  as  he  could  not  conquer 
his  tenderness  on  the  subject  of  Alida  and  all  that  concerned 
her,  while  on  the  other  hand  there  existed  no  motive  for  im 
mediately  declaring  the  truth,  he  rather  favored  the  general 
impression  by  his  silence.  First  giving  some  orders  of  the  last 
importance  at  that  moment,  he  passed  into  the  cabin,  and 
sought  a  private  interview  with  his  captive. 

"That  vacant  state-room  is  at  your  service,  Master  Sea- 
drift,"  he  observed  pointing  to  the  little  apartment  opposite 
to  the  one  ne  occupied  himself.  "  We  are  likely  to  be  ship 
mates  several  days,  unless  you  choose  to  shorten  the  time  by 
entering  into  a  capitulation  for  the  Water-Witch,  in  which 
case—" 

*'  You  had  a  proposition  to  make." 

Ludlow  hesitated,  cast  an  eye  behind  him,  to  be  certain 
they  were  alone,  and  drew  nearer  to  his  captive. 

"  Sir,  I  will  deal  with  you  as  becomes  a  seaman.  La  belle 
Barbaric  is  dearer  to  me  than  ever  woman  was  before  ;  dearer, 
I  fear,  than  ever  woman  will  be  again.  You  need  not  learn 
that  circumstances  have  occurred —  Do  you  love  the  lady?  " 

•'I  do." 

* '  And  she — fear  not  to  trust  the  secret  to  one  who  will  not 
abuse  the  trust — returns  she  your  affection?" 

The  mariner  of  the  brigantine  drew  back  with  dignity; 
then,  instantly  recovering  his  ease,  as  if  fearful  he  might  for 
get  himself,  he  said  with  warmth  : 

"  This  trifling  with  woman's  weakness  is  the  besetting  sin  of 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  26l 

man !     None  may  speak  of  her  inclinations,  Captain  Ludlow, 
but  herself.     It  never  shall  be  said  that  any  of  the  sex  had  < 
aught  but  fitting  reverence  for  their  dependent  state,  their  con 
stant  and  confiding  love,  their  faithfulness  in  all  the  world's 
trials,  and  their  singleness  of  heart,  from  me." 

"  These  sentiments  do  you  honor;  and  I  could  wish,  for 
your  own  sake,  as  well  as  that  of  others,  there  was  less  of  con 
trariety  in  your  character.  One  cannot  but  grieve — " 

"  You  had  a  proposition  for  the  brigantine?  " 

' '  I  would  have  said  that,  were  the  vessel  yielded  without 
further  pursuit,  means  might  be  found  to  soften  the  blow  to 
those  who  will  otherwise  be  most  wounded  by  her  capture." 

The  face  of  the  dealer  in  contraband  had  lost  some  of  its 
usual  brightness  and  animation ;  the  color  of  the  cheek  was 
not  as  rich,  and  the  eye  was  less  at  ease,  than  in  his  former 
interviews  with  Ludlow.  But  a  smile  of  security  crossed  his 
fine  features  when  the  other  spoke  of  the  fate  of  the  brigantine. 

"  The  keel  of  the  ship  that  is  to  capture  the  Water-Wit  th 
is  not  yet  laid,"  he  said,  firmly ;  "  nor  is  the  canvas  that  is  to 
drive  her  through  the  water  wove  !  Our  mistress  is  not  so 
heedless  as  to  sleep  when  there  is  most  occasion  for  her 
services." 

"  This  mummery  of  a  supernatural  aid  may  be  of  use  in 
holding  the  minds  of  the  ignorant  beings  who  follow  your 
fortunes,  in  subjection,  but  it  is  lost  when  addressed  to  me.  I 
have  ascertained  the  position  of  the  brigantine — nay,  I  have 
been  under  her  very  bowsprit,  and  so  near  her  cut-water  as  to 
have  examined  her  moorings.  Measures  are  now  taking  to  im 
prove  my  knowledge,  and  to  secure  the  prize." 

The  free-trader  heard  him  without  exhibiting  alarm,  though 
he  listened  with  an  attention  that  rendered  his  breathing 
audible. 

"  You  found  my  people  vigilant?  "  he  rather  carelessly  ob 
served,  than  asked. 

"  So  much  so  that  I  have  said  the  skiff  was  pulled  beneath 
her  martingale  without  a  hail !  Had  there  been  means,  it 
would  not  have  required  many  moments  to  cut  the  hawser  by 
which  she  rides,  and  to  have  laid  your  beauteous  vessel 
ashore !  " 

The  gleam  of  Seadrift's  eye  was  like  the  glance  of  an  eagle. 
It  seemed  to  inquire,  and  to  resent,  in  the  same  instant. 
Ludlow  shrank  from  the  piercing  look,  and  reddened  to  the 
brow — whether  with  his  recollections,  or  not,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  explain. 


362  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"The  worthy  device  was  thought  of! — nay,  it  was  at 
tempted  !  "  exclaimed  the  other,  gathering  confirmation  in  the 
consciousness  of  his  companion.  * '  You  did  not — you  could 
not  succeed ! " 

"  Our  success  will  be  proved  in  the  result." 

''  The  lady  of  the  brigantine  forgot  not  her  charge  !  You 
saw  her  bright  eye — her  dark  and  meaning  face  !  Light  shone 
on  that  mysterious  countenance — my  words  are  true,  Ludlow ; 
thy  tongue  is  silent,  but  that  honest  countenance  confesses 
all !  " 

The  gay  dealer  in  contraband  turned  away,  and  laughed  in 
his  merriest  manner. 

"I  knew  it  would  be  so,"  he  continued;  "  what  is  the 
absence  of  one  humble  actor  from  her  train?  Trust  me,  you 
will  find  her  coy  as  ever?  and  ill-disposed  to  hold  converse 
with  a  cruiser  who  speaks  so  rudely  through  his  cannon.  Ha  ! 
— here  are  auditors  !  " 

An  officer,  to  announce  the  near  approach  of  a  boat,  entered. 
Both  Ludlow  and  his  prisoner  started  at  this  intelligence,  and 
it  was  not  difficult  to  fancy,  both  believed  that  a  message  from 
the  Water- Witch  might  be  expected.  The  former  hastened  on 
deck ;  while  the  latter,  notwithstanding  a  self- possess  ion  that 
was  so  much  practised,  could  not  remain  entirely  at  his  ease. 
He  passed  into  the  state-room,  and  it  is  more  than  probable 
that  he  availed  himself  of  the  window  of  its  quarter-gallery  to 
reconnoitre  those  who  were  so  unexpectedly  coming  to  the 
ship. 

But,  after  the  usual  hail  and  reply,  Ludlow  no  longer  antic 
ipated  any  proposal  from  the  brigantine.  The  answer  had 
been  what  a  seaman  would  call  lubberly ;  or  it  wanted  that 
Attic  purity  that  men  of  the  profession  rarely  fail  to  use  on  all 
occasions,  and  by  the  means  of  which  they  can  tell  a  pre 
tender  to  their  mysteries,  with  a  quickness  that  is  almost  in 
stinctive.  When  the  short,  quick  "  Boat  ahoy  !  "  of  the  sen 
tinel  on  the  gangway,  was  answered  by  the  "  What  do  you 
want?  "  of  a  startled  respondent  in  the  boat,  it  was  received 
among  the  crew  of  the  Coquette  with  such  a  sneer  as  the  tyro, 
who  has  taken  two  steps  in  any  particular  branch  of  knowl 
edge,  is  apt  to  bestow  on  the  blunders  of  him  who  has  taken 
but  one. 

A  deep  silence  silence  reigned,  while  a  party  consisting  of 
two  men  and  as  many  females  mounted  the  side  of  the  ship, 
leaving  a  sufficient  number  of  forms  behind  herr  in  the  boat 
to  man  its  oars.  Notwithstanding  more  tha  i  o:*e  light  was 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  263 

held  in  such  a  manner  as  would  have  discovered  the  faces  oi 
the  strangers  had  they  not  ail  been  closely  muffled,  the  party 
passed  into  the  cabin  without  recognition. 

"  Master  Cornelius  Ludlow,  one  might  as  well  put  on  the 
queen's  livery  at  once,  as  to  be  steering  in  this  uncertain 
manner,  between  the  Coquette  and  the  land,  like  a  protested 
note  sent  from  indorser  to  indorser.  to  be  paid,"  commenced 
Alderman  Van  Beverout,  uncasing  himself  in  the  great  cabin 
with  the  coolest  deliberation,  while  his  niece  sank  into  a  chair 
unbidden,  her  two  attendants  standing  near  in  submissive 
silence.  "  Here  is  Alida,  who  has  insisted  on  paying  so  un 
seasonable  a  visit,  and,  what  is  worse  still,  on  dragging  me  in 
her  train,  though  I  am  past  the  day  of  following  a  woman 
about,  merely  because  she  happens  to  have  a  pretty  face.  The 
hour  is  unseasonable,  and  as  to  the  motive — why,  if  Master 
Seadrift  has  got  a  little  out  of  his  course,  no  great  harm  can 
come  of  it,  while  the  affair  is  in  the  hands  of  so  discreet  and 
amiable  an  officer  as  yourself." 

The  alderman  became  suddenly  mute ;  for  the  door  of  the 
state-room  opened,  and  the  individual  he  had  named  entered 
in  person. 

Ludlow  needed  no  other  explanation  than  the  knowledge  of 
the  persons  of  his  guests,  to  understand  the  motive  of  their 
visit.  Turning  to  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  he  said,  with  a 
bitterness  he  could  not  repress  : 

"  My  presence  may  be  intrusive.  Use  the  cabin  as  freely  as 
your  own  house,  and  rest  assurred  that  while  it  is  thus  honored, 
it  shall  be  sacred  to  its  present  uses.  My  duty  calls  me  to  the 
deck." 

The  young  man  bowed,  and  hurried  from  the  place.  As  he 
passed  Alida,  he  caught  a  gleam  of  her  dark  and  eloquent  eye, 
and  he  construed  the  glance  into  an  expression  of  gratitude. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

«  If  it  were  done  when  'tis  done,  then  'twere  weH 
It  were  done  quickly." 

MACBETH. 

THE  words  of  the  immortal  poet  with  which,  in  deference 
to  an  ancient  usage  in  the  literature  of  the  language,  we  have 
prefaced  the  incidents  to  b«  related  in  this  chapter,  are  in  per 


264  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

feet  conformity  with  that  governing  maxim  of  a  vessel,  which 
is  commonly  found  embodied  in  its  standing  orders,  and  which 
prescribes  the  necessity  of  exertion  and  activity  in  the  least  of 
its  operations.  A  strongly-manned  ship,  like  a  strong  armed 
man,  is  fond  of  showing  its  physical  power,  for  it  is  one  of  the 
principal  secrets  of  its  efficiency.  In  a  profession  in  which 
there  is  an  unceasing  contest  with  the  wild  and  fickle  winds, 
and  in  which  human  efforts  are  to  be  manifested  in  the  control 
of  a  delicate  and  fearful  machinery  on  an  inconstant  element, 
this  governing  principle  becomes  of  the  last  importance. 
Where  "  delay  may  so  easily  be  death,"  it  soon  gets  to  be  a 
word  that  is  expunged  from  the  language ;  and  there  is  per 
haps  no  truth  more  necessary  to  be  known  to  all  young  aspir 
ants  for  naval  success  than  that,  while  nothing  should  be  at 
tempted  in  a  hurry,  nothing  should  be  done  without  the  last 
degree  of  activity  that  is  compatible  with  precision. 

The  commander  of  the  Coquette  had  early  been  impressed 
with  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  rule,  and  he  had  not  neglected 
its  application  in  the  discipline  of  his  crew.  When  he 
reached  the  deck,  therefore,  after  relinquishing  the  cabin  to 
his  visitors,  he  found  those  preparations  which  he  had  ordered 
to  be  commenced  when  he  first  returned  to  the  ship,  already 
far  advanced  toward  their  execution.  As  these  movements  are 
closely  connected  with  the  future  events  it  is  our  duty  to  ex 
plain,  we  shall  relate  them  with  some  particularity. 

Ludlow  had  no  sooner  given  his  orders  to  the  officer  in 
charge  of  the  deck,  than  the  call  of  the  boatswain  was  heard 
summoning  all  hands  to  their  duty.  When  the  crew  was  col 
lected,  tackles  were  hooked  to  the  large  boats  stowed  in  the 
centre  of  the  ship,  and  the  whole  of  them  were  lowered  into 
the  water.  The  descent  of  those  suspended  on  the  quarters 
was  of  course  less  difficult,  and  much  sooner  effected.  So 
soon  as  all  the  boats,  with  the  exception  of  one  at  the  stern, 
were  out,  the  order  was  given  to  "cross  top-gallant-yards. >f 
This  duty  had  been  commenced  while  other  things  were  in  the 
course  of  performance,  and  a  minute  had  scarcely  passed  be 
fore  the  upper  masts  were  again  in  possession  of  their  light 
sails.  Then  was  heard  the  usual  summons  of  "all  hands  up 
anchor,  ahoy  !  "  and  the  rapid  orders  of  the  young  officers  to 
"man  capstan-bars,"  to  "nipper,"  and  finally  to  "heave 
away."  The  business  of  getting  the  anchor  on  board  a  cruiser, 
and, on  board  a  ship  engaged  in  commerce,  is  of  very  differ 
ent  degrees  of  labor,  as  well  as  of  expedition.  In  the  latter, 
a,  dozen  men  apply  their  powers  to  &  iw-moving  and  reluct' 


THE   WATER-WITCH*  265 

imt  windlass,  while  the  untractable  cable,  as  it  enters,  is 
broken  into  coils  by  the  painful  efforts  of  a  grumbling  cook, 
thwarted,  perhaps,  as  much  as  he  is  aided  by  the  wayward 
ness  of  some  wilful  urchin  who  does  the  services  of  the  cabin. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  upright  and  constantly-moving  capstan 
knows  no  delay.  The  revolving  "messenger"  is  ever  ready 
to  be  applied  and  skilful  petty  officers  are  always  in  the  tiers  to 
dispose  of  the  massive  rope,  that  it  may  not  encumber  the 
decks. 

Ludlow  appeared  among  his  people  while  they  were  thus 
employed.  Ere  he  had  made  one  hasty  turn  on  the  quarter 
deck,  he  was  met  by  the  busy  first-lieutenant. 

"  We  are  short,  sir,"  said  that  agent  of  all  work. 

"  Set  your  topsails." 

The  canvas  was  instantly  permitted  to  fall,  and  it  was  no 
sooner  stretched  to  the  yards,  than  force  was  applied  to  the 
halyards,  and  the  sails  were  hoisted. 

"  Which  way,  sir,  do  you  wish  the  ship  cast?  "  demanded 
the  attentive  Luff. 

"  To  seaward." 

The  head-yards  were  accordingly  braced  "lock  in  the  proper 
direction,  and  it  was  then  reported  to  the  ca^tvu  that  all  was 
ready  to  get  the  ship  under  way. 

"  Trip  the  anchor  at  once,  sir;  when  it  is  stowed,  and  the 
decks  are  cleared,  report  to  me." 

This  sententious  and  characteristic  communication  was  suffi 
cient  for  all  the  purposes  of  that  moment.  The  one  was  ac 
customed  to  issue  his  orders  without  explanation,  and  the  other 
never  hesitated  to  obey,  and  rarely  presumed  to  inquire  into 
their  motive. 

"  We  are  aweigh  and  stowed,  sir;  every  thing  clear,"  said 
Mr.  Luff,  after  a  few  minutes  had  been  allowed  to  execute  the 
preceding  commands. 

Ludlow  then  seemed  to  arouse  himself  from  a  deep  reverie. 
He  had  hitherto  spoken  mechanically,  rather  than  as  one  con 
scious  of  what  he  uttered,  or  whose  feelings  had  any  connec 
tion  with  his  words.  But  it  was  now  necessary  to  mingle  with 
his  officers  and  to  issue  mandates  that,  as  they  were  less  in 
routine,  required  both  thought  and  discretion.  The  crews  of 
the  different  boats  were  "  called  away,"  and  arms  were  placed 
in  their  hands.  When  nearly  or  quite  one-half  of  the  ship's 
-company  were  in  the  boats,  and  the  latter  were  all  reported  to 
be  ready,  officers  were  assigned  to  each,  and  the  particular 
service  expected  at  their  hands  was  di«^nctly  explained. 


266  THE    WATER  WITCH. 

A  master's  mate  in  the  captain's  barge,  with  the  creur 
strengthened  by  half  a  dozen  marines,  was  ordered  to  pull  di 
rectly  for  the  cove,  into  which  he  was  to  enter  with  muffled 
oars,  and  where  he  was  to  await  a  signal  from  the  first-lieu 
tenant,  unless  he  met  the  brigantine  endeavoring  to  escape,  in 
which  case  his  orders  were  imperative  to  board  and  carry  hei 
at  every  hazard.  The  high-spirited  youth  no  sooner  received 
this  charge,  than  he  quitted  the  ship  and  steered  to  the  south 
ward,  keeping  inside  the  tongue  of  land  so  often  named. 

Luff  was  then  told  to  take  command  of  the  launch.  With 
this  heavy  and  strongly-manned  boat,  he  was  ordered  to  pro 
ceed  to  the  inlet,  where  he  was  to  give  the  signal  to  the  barge, 
and  whence  he  was  to  go  to  the  assistance  of  the  latter,  so  soon 
as  he  was  assured  the  Water-Witch  could  not  again  escape  by 
the  secret  passage. 

The  two  cutters  were  intrusted  to  the  command  of  the  sec 
ond-lieutenant,  with  orders  to  pull  into  the  broad  passage  be 
tween  the  end  of  the  cape,  or  the  "  Hook,"  and  that  long, 
narrow  island  which  stretches  from  the  harbor  of  New  York 
for  more  than  forty  leagues  to  the  eastward,  sheltering  the 
whole  coast  of  Connecticut  from  the  tempests  of  the  ocean. 
Ludlow  knew,  though  ships  of  a  heavy  draught  were  obliged 
to  pass  close  to  the  cape,  in  order  to  gain  the  open  sea,  that  a 
light  brigantine,  like  the  Water-Witch,  could  find  a  sufficient 
depth  of  water  for  her  purposes  farther  north.  The  cutters- 
were,  therefore,  sent  in  that  direction,  with  orders  to  cover  as 
much  of  the  channel  as  possible,  and  to  carry  the  smuggler 
should  an  occasion  offer.  Finally,  the  yawl  was  to  occupy  the 
space  between  the  two  channels,  with  orders  to  repeat  signals, 
and  to  be  vigilant  in  reconnoitring. 

While  the  different  officers  intrusted  with  these  duties  were 
receiving  their  instructions,  the  ship,  under  the  charge  of  Try 
sail,  began  to  move  toward  the  cape.  When  off  the  point  of 
the  Hook,  the  two  cutters  and  the  yawl  "  cast  off,"  and  took 
to  their  oars,  and,  when  fairly  without  the  buoys,  the  launch 
did  the  same,  each  boat  taking  its  prescribed  direction. 

If  the  reader  retains  a  distinct  recollection  of  the  scene  de- 
sjcribed  in  one  of  the  earlier  pages  of  this  work,  he  will  under 
stand  the  grounds  on  which  Ludlow  based  his  hopes  of  suc 
cess.  By  sending  the  launch  into  the  inlet,  he  believed  he 
should  enclose  the  brigantine  on  every  side ;  since  her  escape 
through  either  of  the  ordinary  channels  would  become  impos 
sible,  while  he  kept  the  Coquette  in  the  offing.  The  service 
be  expected  from  the  three  boats  sent  to  the  northward,  was  to 


THE   WATER-WITCH. 

trace  the  movement  of  the  smuggler,  and,  should  a  suitable 
opportunity  offer,  to  attempt  to  carry  him  by  surprise. 

When  the  launch  parted  from  the  ship,  the  Coquette  caine 
slowly  up  to  the  wind,  and,  with  her  fore-topsail  throv/ii  to  the 
mast,  she  lay,  waiting  to  allow  her  boats  the  time  necessary  to 
reach  their  several  stations.  The  different  expeditions  had  re 
duced  the  force  of  the  crew  quite  one-half,  and  ac  both  the 
lieutenants  were  otherwise  employed,  there  now  remained  on 
board  no  officer  of  a  rank  between  th^se  of  the  captain  and 
Trysail.  Some  time  after  the  vessel  had  been  stationary,  and 
the  men  had  been  ordered  to  keep  close,  or,  in  other  words,  to 
dispose  of  their  persons  as  they  pleased,  with  a  view  to  per 
mit  them  to  catch  "cat's  naps,"  as  some  compensation  for  the 
loss  of  their  regular  sleep,  the  latter  approached  his  superior, 
who  stood  gazing  over  the  hammock-cloths  in  the  direction  of 
the  cove,  and  spoke. 

"_  A  dark  night,  smooth  water,  and  fresh  hands,  make  boat 
ing  agreeable  duty  !  "  he  said.  "  The  gentlemen  are  in  fine 
heart,  and  full  of  young  men's  hopes ;  but  he  who  lays  that 
brigantine  aboard  will,  in  my  poor  judgment,  have  more  work 
to  do  than  merely  getting  up  her  side.  I  was  in  the  foremost 
boat  that  boarded  a  Spaniard  in  the  Mona,  last  war ;  and 
though  we  went  into  her  with  light  heels,  some  of  us  were 
brought  out  with  broken  heads.  I  think  the  foretop-gallant- 
mast  has  a  better  set,  Captain  Ludlow,  since  we  gave  the  last 
pull  at  the  rigging  ?  "  > 

"  It  stands  well,"  returned  his  half-attentive  commander, 
"  Give  it  the  other  drag,  if  you  think  best." 

"Just  as  you  please,  sir  ;  'tis  all  one  to  me.  I  care  not  if 
the  mast  is  hove  all  of  one  side,  like  the  hat  on  the  head  of  a 
country  buck ;  but  when  a  thing  is  as  it  ought  to  be,  reason 
would  tell  us  to  let  it  alone.  Mr.  Luff  was  of  opinion  that,  by 
altering  the  slings  of  the  main-yard,  we  should  give  a  better 
set  to  the  topsail-sheets  ;  but  it'  was  little  that  could  be  done 
with  the  stick  aloft,  and  I  am  ready  to  pay  her  majesty  the 
difference  between  the  wear  of  the  sheets  as  they  stand  now, 
and  as  Mr.  Luff  would  have  them,  out  of  my  own  pocket, 
though  it  is  often  as  empty  as  a  parish  church  in  which  a  fox 
hunting  parson  preaches.  I  was  present,  once,  when  a  real 
tallyho  was  reading  the  service,  and  one  of  your  godless  squires 
got  in  the  wake  of  a  fox,  with  his  hounds,  within  hail  of  the 
church-windows !  The  cries  had  some  such  e.Tect  on  my 
roarer  as  a  puff  of  wind  would  have  on  this  ship;  that  is  to 
•say  he  sprung  his  luff,  and,  though  he  kept  on  muttering  some 


268  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

thing  1  never  knew  what,  his  eyes  were  in  the  fields  the  wholt 
time  the  pack  was  in  view.  But  this  wasn't  the  worst  of  it; 
for,  when  he  got  fairly  back  to  his  work  again,  the  wind  had 
been  blowing  the  leaves  of  his  book  about,  and  he  plumped  u& 
into  the  middle  of  the  marriage  ceremony.  I  am  no  great 
lawyer,  but  there  were  those  who  said  it  was  a  god -send  that 
half  the  young  men  in  the  parish  weren't  married  to  their  own 
grandmothers  !  " 

.  "  I  hope  the  match  was  agreeable  to  the  family,"  said  Lud- 
low,  relieving  one  elbow  by  resting  the  weight  of  his  head  ot» 
the  other. 

"  Why,  as  to  that,  I  will  not  take  upon  me  to  say,  since  the 
clerk  corrected  the  parson's  reckoning  before  the  mischief  was 
entirely  done.  There  has  been  a  little  dispute  between  me 
and  the  first-lieutenant,  Captain  Ludlow,  concerning  the  trim 
of  the  ship.  He  maintains  that  we  have  got  too  much  in  for 
ward  of  what  he  calls  the  centre  of  gravity ;  and  he  is  ot 
opi  nion  that  had  we  been  less  by  the  head,  the  smuggler  would 
never  have  had  the  heels  of  us  in  the  chase ;  whereas  I  invite 
any  man  to  lay  a  craft  on  her  water-line — " 

"Show  our  light!"  interrupted  Ludlow.  "Yonder  goes 
the  signal  of  the  launch  !  " 

Trysail  ceased  speaking,  and,  stepping  on  a  gun,  he  began 
to  gaze  in  the  direction  of  the  cove.  A  lantern,  or  some  other 
bright  object,  was  leisurely  raised  three  times,  and  as  often  hid 
from  view.  The  signal  came  from  under  the  land,  and  in  a 
quarter  that  left  no  doubt  of  its  object. 

i(  So  far  well,"  cried  the  captain,  quitting  his  stand,  and 
turning,  for  the  first  time,  with  consciousness,  to  his  officer. 
"  'Tis  a  sign  that  they  are  at  the  inlet,  and  that  the  offing  is 
clear.  I  think,  Master  Trysail,  we  are  now  sure  of  our  prize. 
Sweep  the  horizon  thoroughly  with  the  night-glass,  and  then 
we  will  close  upon  this  boasted  brigantine." 

Both  took  glasses,  and  devoted  several  minutes  to  this  duty, 
jl  careful  examination  of  the  margin  of  the  sea,  from  the 
coast  of  New  Jersey  to  that  of  Long  island,  gave  them  reason 
to  believe  that  nothing  of  any  size  was  lying  without  the  cape. 
The  sky  was  more  free  from  clouds  to  the  eastward  than  under 
the  land,  and  it  was  not  difficult  to  make  certain  of  this  im 
portant  fact.  It  gave  them  the  assurance  that  the  Water- 
Witch  had  not  escaped  by  the  secret  passage,  during  the  time 
lost  in  their  own  preparations. 

"  This  is  still  well,"  continued  Ludlow.  (( Now  he  cannot 
avoid  us—show  the  triangle." 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  269 

Three  lights  disposed  in  the  form  just  named  were  then 
hoisted  at  the  gaff-end  of  the  Coquette.  It  was  an  order  for 
the  boats  in  the  cove  to  proceed.  The  signal  was  quickly 
answered  from  the  launch,  and  a  small  rocket  was  seen  sailing 
over  the  trees  and  shrubbery  of  the  shore.  All  on  board  the 
Coquette  listened  intently,  to  catch  some  sound  that  should 
denote  the  tumult  of  an  assault.  Once  Ludlow  and  Trysail 
thought  the  cheers  of  seamen  came  on  the  thick  air  of  the 
night ;  and  once,  again,  either  fancy  or  their  senses  told  them 
they  heard  the  menacing  hail  which  commanded  the  outlaws 
to  submit.  Many  minutes  of  intense  anxiety  succeeded.  The 
whole  of  the  hammock-cloths  on  the  side  of  the  ship  nearest  to 
the  land  were  lined  with  curious  faces,  though  respect  left 
Ludlow  to  the  sole  occupation  of  the  short  and  light  deck 
which  covered  the  accommodations,  whither  he  had  ascended, 
to  command  a  more  perfect  view  of  the  horizon. 

"'Tis  time  to  hear  their  musketry,  or  to  see  the  signal  of 
success!  "  said  the  young  man  to  himself,  so  intently  occupied 
by  his  interest  in  the  undertaking  as  to  be  unconscious  of  hav 
ing  spoken. 

"  Have  you  forgotten  to  provide  a  signal  for  failure?  "  said 
one  at  his  elbow. 

"Ha!  Master  Seadrift — I  would  have  spared  you  iihis 
spectacle." 

"'Tis  one  too  often  witnessed  to  be  singular.  A  life 
passed  on  the  ocean  has  not  left  me  ignorant  of  the  effect  of 
night,  with  a  view  seaward,  a  dark  coast,  and  a  background  of 
mountain  !  " 

"  You  have  confidence  in  him  left  in  charge  of  your  brigan- 
tine  !  I  shall  have  faith  in  your  sea-green  lady  myself,  if  he 
escape  my  boats  this  time." 

"See  ! — there  is  a  token  of  her  fortune,"  returned  the  other, 
pointing  toward  three  lanterns  that  were  shown  at  the  mist's 
mouth,  and  over  which  many  lights  were  burnt  in  rapid  suc 
cession. 

"  'Tis  of  failure  !  Let  the  ship  fall-off,  and  square  away 
the  yards !  Round  in,  men,  round  in.  We  will  run  down  to 
the  entrance  of  the  bay,  Mr.  Trysail.  The  knaves  have  been 
aided  by  their  lucky  star  !  " 

Ludlow  spoke  with  deep  vexation  in  his  tones,  but  always 
with  the  authority  of  a  superior  and  the  prompitude  of  a  sea 
man.  The  motionless  being,  near  him,  maintained  a  profound 
silence.  No  exclamation  of  triumph  escaped  him,  nor  did  he 
open  his  lips  either  in  pleasure  or  in  surprise.  It  appeared  as 


2/0  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

if  confidence  in  his  vessel  rendered  him  as  much  superior  It 
exultation  as  to  apprehension. 

"You  look  upon  this  exploit  of  your  brigantine,  Master 
Seadrift,  as  a  thing  of  course,"  Ludlow  observed,  when  his 
own  ship  was  steering  toward  the  extremity  of  the  cape  again. 
* '  Fortune  has  not  deserted  you  yet ;  but,  with  the  land  on 
three  sides,  and  this  ship  and  her  boats  on  the  fourth,  I  clo  not 
despair  yet  of  prevailing  over  your  bronzed  goddess  !  " 

ff  Our  mistress  never  sleeps,"  returned  the  dealer  in  contra 
band,  drawing  a  long  breath,  like  one  who  had  struggled  long 
to  repress  his  interest. 

"  Terms  are  still  in  your  power.  I  shall  not  conceal  that 
the  commissioners  of  her  majesty's  customs  set  so  high  a  price  on 
the  possession  of  the  Water-Witch  as  to  embolden  me  to  assume 
a  responsibility  from  which  I  might,  on  any  other  occasion, 
shrink.  Deliver  the  vessel,  and  I  pledge  you  the  honor  of  an 
officer  that  the  crew  shall  land  without  question.  Leave  her 
to  us,  with  empty  decks  and  a  swept  hold,  if  you  will, — but, 
leave  the  swift  boat  in  our  hands." 

"  The  lady  of  the  brigantine  thinks  otherwise.  She  wears 
her  mantle  of  the  deep  waters,  and,  trust  me,  spite  of  all  your 
nets,  she  will  lead  her  followers  beyond  the  offices  of  the  lead, 
and  far  from  soundings — ay,  spite  of  all  the  navy  of  Queen 
Anne  !  " 

"  I  hope  that  others  may  not  repent  this  obstinacy  !  But 
this  is  no  time  to  bandy  words ;  the  duty  of  the  ship  requires 
my  presence.'* 

Seadrift  took  2he  hint,  and  reluctantly  retired  to  the  cabin. 
As  he  left  the  poop,  the  moon  rose  above  the  line  of  water  in 
the  eastern  board,  and  shed  its  light  along  the  whole  horizon. 
The  crew  of  the  Coquette  were  now  enabled  to  see,  with  suf 
ficient  distinctness,  from  the  sands  of  the  Hook  to  the  distance 
of  many  leagues  to  seaward.  There  no  longer  remained  a 
doubt  that  the  brigantine  was  still  within  the  bay.  Encouraged 
by  this  certainty,  Ludlow  endeavored  to  forget  all  motives  of 
personal  feeling,  in  the  discharge  of  a  duty  that  was  getting 
to  be  more  and  more  interesting,  as  the  prospect  of  its  success 
ful  accomplishment  grew  brighter. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  Coquette  reached  the  channel 
which  forms  the  available  mouth  of  the  estuary.  Here  the 
ship  was  again  brought  to  the  wind,  and  men  we*e  sent  upon 
the  yards  and  all  her  more  lofty  spars,  in  order  to  overlook,  by 
the  dim  and  deceitful  light,  as  much  of  the  inner  water  as  the 
eye  could  reach ;  while  Ludlow,  assisted  by  the  master,  wai 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2JI 

engaged  in  the  same  employment  on  the  deck.     Two  or  three 
midshipmen  were  included  among  the  common  herd  aloft. 

"There  is  nothing  visible  within,"  said  the  captain,  after  a 
long  and  anxious  search  with  a  glass.  "  The  shadow  of  the 
Jersey  mountains  prevents  the  sight  in  that  direction,  while 
the  spars  of  a  frigate  might  be  confounded  with  the  trees  of 
Staten  Island,  here,  in  the  northern  board. — Cross-jack-yard 
there  !  " 

The  shrill  voice  of  a  midshipman  answered  to  the  hail. 

"  What  do  you  make  within  the  Hook,  sir?  " 

"  Nothing  visible.  Our  barge  is  pulling  along  the  land,  and 
the  launch  appears  to  be  lying  off  the  inlet ;  ay,  here  is  the 
yawl  resting  on  its  oars  without  the  Romer  ;  but  we  can  find 
nothing  which  looks  like  the  cutter  in  the  range  of  Coney." 

"  Take  another  sweep  of  the  glass  more  westward,  and  look 
well  into  the  mouth  of  the  Raritan ;  mark  you  any  thing  in. 
that  quarter?" 

"  Ha  !  here  is  a  speck  on  our  lee  quarter." 

•'  What  do  you  make  of  it  ?  " 

11  Unless  sight  deceives  me  greatly,  sir,  there  is  a  light  boat 
pulling  in  for  the  ship,  about  three  cables'  length  distant." 

Ludlow  raised  his  own  glass,  and  swept  the  water  in  the 
direction  named.  After  one  or  two  unsuccessful  trials,  his 
eye  caught  the  object ;  and,  as  the  moon  had  now  some 
oower,  he  was  at  no  loss  to  distinguish  its  character.  There 
was  evidently  a  boat,  and  one  that,  by  its  movements,  had  a 
design  of  holding  communication  with  the  cruiser. 

The  eye  of  a  seaman  is  acute  on  his  element,  and  his  mind 
is  quick  in  forming  opinions  on  all  things  that  properly  apper 
tain  to  his  profession.  Ludlow  saw  instantly,  by  the  construc 
tion,  that  the  boat  was  not  one  of  those  sent  from  the  ship; 
that  it  approached  in  a  direction  which  enabled  it  to  avoid  the 
Coquette,  by  keeping  in  a  part  of  the  bay  where  the  water 
was  not  sufficiently  deep  to  admit  of  her  passage ;  and  that  its 
movements  were  so  guarded  as  to  denote  great  caution,  while 
there  was  an  evident  wish  to  draw  as  near  to  the  cruiser  as 
prudence  might  render  advisable.  Taking  a  trumpet,  he 
hailed  in  the  well-known  and  customary  manner. 

The  answer  came  up  faintly  against  the  air,  but  it  was 
uttered  with  much  practice  in  the  implement,  and  with  an  ex 
ceeding  compass  of  voice. 

"  Ay,  ay  !  "  and  "  a  parley  from  the  brigantine  !  "  were  thi 
only  words  that  were  distinctly  audible. 

For  a  minute  or  two,  the  young  man  paced  lihe  deck 


5*72  THE   WATER-WITCH- 

In  silence.    Then   he  suddenly   commanded   the   only  boat 
which  the  cruiser  now  possessed  to  be  lowered  and  manned. 

"Throw  an  ensign  into  the  stern-sheets,"  he  said,  when 
these  orders  were  executed;  "  and  let  there  be  arms  beneath  it 
it.  We  will  keep  faith  while  faith  is  observed,  but  there  arc 
reasons  for  caution  in  this  interview." 

Trysail  was  directed  to  keep  the  ship  stationary,  and,  after 
giving  to  his  subordinate,  private  instructions  of  importance  in 
the  event  of  treachery,  Ludlow  went  into  the  boat  in  person. 
A  very  few  minutes  sufficed  to  bring  the  jolly-boat  and  the 
stranger  so  near  each  other  that  the  means  of  communication 
were  both  easy  and  sure.  The  men  of  the  former  were  then 
commanded  to  cease  rowing,  and,  raising  his  glass,  the  com 
mander  of  the  cruiser  took  a  more  certain  and  minute  survey 
of  those  who  awaited  his  coming.  The  strange  boat  was 
dancing  on  the  waves,  like  a  light  shell  that  floated  so  buoyantly 
as  scarce  to  touch  the  element  which  sustained  it,  while  four 
athletic  seamen  leaned  on  the  oars  which  lay  ready  to  urge  it 
ahead.  In  the  stern-sheets  stood  a  form  whose  attitude  and 
mien  could  not  readily  be  mistaken.  In  the  admirable  steadi 
ness  of  the  figure,  the  folded  arms,  the  fine  and  manly  pro 
portions,  and  the  attire,  Lud\ow  recognized  the  mariner  of  the 
India  shawl.  A  wave  of  the  hand  induced  him  to  venture 
nearer. 

"  What  is  asked  of  the  royal  cruiser?  "  demanded  the  cap 
tain  of  the  vessel  named,  when  the  two  boats  were  as  near 
each  other  as  seemed  expedient. 

"  Confidence,"  was  the  calm  reply.  "  Come  nearer,  Cap 
tain  Ludlow;  I  am  here  with  naked  hands!  Our  conference 
need  not  be  maintained  with  trumpets." 

Ashamed  that  a  boat  belonging  to  a  ship-of-war  should 
betray  doubts,  the  people  of  the  yawl  were  ordered  to  go 
within  reach  of  the  oars. 

4 'Well,  sir,  you  have  your  wish.  I  have  quitted  my  ship, 
and  come  to  the  parley,  with  the  smallest  of  my  boats." 

"It  is  unnecessary  to  say  what  has  been  done  with  the 
others  !  "  returned  Tiller,  across  the  firm  muscles  of  whose 
face  there  passed  a  smile  that  was  scarcely  perceptible.  "  You 
hunt  us  hard,  sir,  and  give  but  little  rest  to  the  brigantine. 
But  again  you  are  foiled  !  " 

"  We  have  a  harbinger  of  better  fortune  in  a  lucky  blow 
that  has  been  struck  to-night" 

"You  are  understood,  sir  ;  Master  Seadrift  has  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  queen's  servants — but  take  good  heed  !  if 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  273 

Injury,  in  word  or  deed,  befall  that  youth,  there  live  those  who 
well  know  how  to  resent  the  wrong  !  " 

"  These  are  lofty  expressions  to  corne  from  a  proscribed 
man  ;  but  we  will  overlook  them  in  the  motive.  Your  brigan- 
tine,  Master  Tiller,  lost  its  master-spirit  in  the  '  Skimmer  of 
the  Seas,'  and  it  may  be  wise  to  listen  to  the  suggestions  of 
moderation.  If  you  are  disposed  to  treat,  I  am  here  with  no 
disposition  to  extort." 

"  We  meet  in  a  suitable  spirit,  then  ;  for  I  come  prepared 
to  offer  terms  of  ransom  that  Queen  Anne,  if  she  love  her 
revenue,  need  not  despise ;  but,  as  in  duty  to  her  majesty,  I, 
will  first  listen  to  her  royal  pleasure." 

"  First,  then,  as  a  seaman,  and  one  who  is  not  ignorant  of 
what  a  vessel  can  perform,  let  me  direct  your  attention  to  the 
situation  of  the  parties.  I  am  certain  that  the  Water-Witch, 
though  for  the  moment  concealed  by  the  shadows  of  the  hills, 
or  favored,  perhaps,  by  distance  and  the  feebleness  of  this 
light,  is  in  the  waters  of  the  bay.  A  force,  against  which  she- 
has  no  power  of  resistance,  watches  the  inlet ;  you  see  the 
cruiser  in  readiness  to  meet  her  off  the  Hook.  My  boats  are 
so  stationed  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  escape,  without 
sufficient  notice,  by  the  northern  channel ;  and,  in  short,  the 
outlets  are  all  closed  to  your  passage.  With  the  morning  light 
we  shall  know  your  position,  and  act  accordingly." 

•"  No  chart  can  show  the  dangers  of  rocks  and  shoals  more 
clearly  ! — and  to  avoid  these  dangers — ?  " 

';  Yield  the  brigantine  and  depart.  Though  outlawed,  we 
shall  content  ourselves  with  the  possession  of  the  remarkable 
vessel  in  which  you  do  your  mischief,  and  hope  that,  deprived 
of  the  means  to  err,  you  will  return  to  better  courses." 

"With  the  prayers  of  the  Church  for  our  amendment !  Now 
listen,  Captain  Ludlow,  to  what  I  offer.  You  have  the  person 
of  one  much  loved  by  all  who  follow  the  lady  of  the  sea-green 
mantle  in  your  power ;  and  we  have  a  brigantine  that  does 
much  injury  to  Queen  Anne's  supremacy  in  the  waters  of  this 
hemisphere — yield  you  the  captive,  and  we  promise  to  quit 
this  coast,  never  to  return." 

*'  This  was  a  worthy  treaty,  truly,  for  one  whose  habitation* 
is  not  a  mad-house  !  Relinquish  my  right  over  the  principle 
doer  of  the  evil,  and  receive  the  unsupported  pledge  of  a  sub 
ordinate's  word  !  Your  happy  fortune,  Master  Tiller,  has 
troubled  your  reason.  What  I  offer,  was  offered  because  I 
would  not  drive  an  unfortunate  and  remarkable  man  like  him 
we  have,  to  extremities,  and — there  may  be  other  motives,  but 

18 


:274  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

rdo  not  mistake  my  lenity.  Should  force  become  necessary  to 
put  your  vessel  into  our  hands,  the  law  may  view  your  offences 
with  a  still  harsher  eye.  Deeds  which  the  lenity  of  our  system 
now  considers  as  venial,  may  easily  turn  to  crime  !  " 

"  I  ought  not  to  take  your  distrust  as  other  than  excusable," 
returned  the  smuggler,  evidently  suppressing  a  feeling  of 
haughty  and  wounded  pride.  "  The  word  of  a  free-trader 
should  have  little  weight  in  the  ears  of  a  queen's  officer.  We 
have  been  trained  in  different  schools,  and  the  same  objects 
are  seen  in  different  colors.  Your  proposal  has  been  heard, 
and,  with  some  thanks  for  its  fair  intentions,  it  is  refused  with 
out  a  hope  of  acceptance.  Our  brigantine  is,  as  you  rightly 
think,  a  remarkable  vessel !  Her  equal,  sir,  for  beauty  or 
speed,  floats  not  the  ocean.  By  Heaven  !  I  would  sooner 
-slight  the  smiles  of  the  fairest  woman  that  walks  the  earth, 
than  entertain  a  thought  which  should  oetray  the  interest  I 
'feel  in  that  jewel  of  naval  skill !  You  have  seen  her  at  many 
times,  Captain  Ludlow — in  squalls  and  calms  ;  with  her  wings 
abroad,  and  her  pinions  shut ;  by  day  and  night ;  near  and 
far  ;  fair  and  foul — and  I  ask  you,  with  a  seaman's  frankness, 
is  she  not  a  toy  to  fill  a  seaman's  heart?  " 

"  I  deny  not  the  vessel's  merits,  nor  her  beauty— 'tis  a  pity 
she  bears  no  better  reputation." 

"  I  knew  you  could  not  withhold  this  praise  !  But  I  grow 
childish  when  there  is  question  of  that  brigantine  !  Well,  sir, 
each  has  been  heard,  and  now  comes  the  conclusion.  I  part 
-with  the  apple  of  my  eye,  ere  a  stick  of  that  lovely  fabric  is 
willingly  deserted  !  Shall  we  make  other  ransom  for  the 
youth  ? — What  think  you  of  a  pledge  in  gold,  to  be  forfeited 
should  we  forget  our  word  ?  " 

"You  ask  impossibilities.  In  treating  thus  at  all  I  quit  the 
path  of  proud  authority,  because,  as  has  been  said,  there  is 
*hat  about  the  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas '  that  raises  him  above 
the  coarse  herd  who  in  common  traffic  against  the  law.  The 
brigantine  or  nothing  !  " 

1 '  My  life  before  that  brigantine  !  Sir,  you  forget  our  for 
tunes  are  protected  by  one  who  laughs  at  the  efforts  of  your 
rfleet.  You  think  that  we  are  enclosed,  and  that,  when  light 
-shall  return,  there  will  remain  merely  the  easy  task  to  place 
your  iron-mounted  cruiser  on  our  beam,  and  drive  us  to  seek 
;  mercy.  Here  are  honest  mariners  who  could  tell  you  of  the 
hopelessness  of  the  expedients.  The  Water-Witch  has  run  the 
gantlet  of  all  your  navies,  and  shot  has  never  yet  defaced  hei 
beauty-" 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  275 

"  And  yet  her  limbs  have  been  known  to  full  before  a  mes- 
jcnger  from  my  ship." 

"  The  stick  wanted  the  commission  of  our  mistress,"  inter 
rupted  the  other,  glancing  his  eye  at  the  credulous  and  atten 
tive  crew  of  the  boat.  "In  a  thoughtless  moment,  'twas 
taken  up  at  sea,  and  fashioned  to  our  purpose  without  counsel 
from  the  book.  Nothing  that  touches  our  decks,  under  fitting 
advice,  comes  to  harm.  You  look  incredulous,  and  it  is  in 
character  to  seem  so.  If  you  refuse  to  listen  to  the  lady  of 
the  brigantine,  at  least  lend  an  ear  to  your  own  laws.  Of 
what  offence  can  you  charge  Master  Seadrift,  that  you  hold 
him  captive?  " 

"  His  redoubted  name  of  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  *  were  war 
ranty  to  force  him  from  a  sanctuary,"  returned  Ludlow,  smil 
ing.  "  Enough  proof  should  fail  of  any  immediate  crime, 
there  is  impunity  for  the  arrest,  since  the  law  refuses  to  pro 
tect  him." 

"  This  is  your  boasted  justice  !  Rogues  in  authority  combine- 
to  condemn  an  absent  and  a  silent  man.  But  if  you  think  to 
do  your  violence  with  impunity,  know  there  are  those  who 
take  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  that  youth." 

"  This  is  foolish  bandying  of  menaces,"  said  the  captain, 
warmly.  "  If  you  accept  my  offers,  speak  ;  and,  if  you  reject 
them,  abide  the  consequences." 

"  I  abide  the  consequences.     But,  since  we  cannot  come  to 
terms,  as  victor  and   the  submitting  party,  we  may  part  in 
amity.     Touch  my  hand,  Captain  Ludlow,  as  one  brave  man, 
should  salute  another,  though  the  next  minute  they  are  to* 
grapple  at  the  throat." 

Ludlow  hesitated.  The  proposal  was  made  with  so  frank; 
and  manly  a  mien,  and  the  air  of  the  free-trader,  as  he  leaned, 
beyond  the  gunwale  of  his  boat,  was  so  superior  to  his  pur 
suit,  that,  unwilling  to  seem  churlish,  or  to  be  outdone  in 
courtesy,  he  reluctantly  consented,  and  laid  his  palm  within 
that  the  other  offered.  The  smuggler  profited  by  the  junction 
to  draw  the  boats  nearer,  and,  to  the  amazement  of  all  who 
witnessed  the  action,  he  stepped  boldly  into  the  yawl,  and  was 
seated  face  to  face  with  its  officer  in  a  moment. 

"  These  are  matters  that  are  not  fit  for  every  ear,"  said  the 
decided  and  confident  mariner,  in  an  undertone,  when  he  had 
made  this  sudden  change  in  the  position  of  the  parties.  "  Deal 
with  me  frankly,  Captain  Ludlow  :  is  your  prisoner  left  to 
brood  on  his  melancholy,  or  does  he  feel  the  consolation  of 
knowing  that  others  take  an  interest  in  his  welfare? '" 


1  276  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

"  He  does  not  want  for  sympathy,  Master  Tiller,  since  h€ 
has  the  pity  of  the  finest  woman  in  America." 

'  '  Ha  !  la  belle  Barberie  owns  her  esteem  ! — is  the  conjec 
ture  right?  " 

"  Unhappily,  you  are  too  near  the  truth.  The  infatuated 
girl  seems  but  to  live  in  his  presence.  She  has  so  far  forgotten 
the  opinions  of  others,  as  to  follow  him  to  my  ship." 

Tiller  listened  intently;  from  that  instant  all  concern  dis 
appeared  from  his  countenance. 

"  He  who  is  thus  favored  may,  for  a  moment,  even  forget 
the  brigantine  !  "  he  exclaimed,  with  his  natural  recklessness 
of  air.  "  And  the  alderman? — " 

"  Has  more  discretion  than  his  niece,  since  he  did  not  per 
mit  her  to  come  alone." 

"  Enough.  Captain  Ludlow,  let  what  will  follow,  we  part 
as  friends.  Fear  not,  sir,  to  touch  the  hand  of  a  proscribed 
man  again ;  it  is  honest  after  its  own  fashion,  and  many  is  the 
peer  and  prince  who  keeps  not  so  clean  a  palm.  Deal  ten 
derly  with  that  gay  and  rash  young  sailor  ;  he  wants  the  dis 
cretion  of  an  older  head,  but  i.be  heart  is  kindness  itself.  I 
would  hazard  life  to  shelter  his,  but  at  every  hazard  the  brig 
antine  must  be  saved.  Adieu." 

There  was  emotion  in  the  voice  of  the  mariner  of  the  shawl, 
notwithstanding  his  high  bearing.  Squeezing  the  hand  of 
Ludlow,  he  passed  back  into  his  own  barge,  with  the  ease  and 
steadiness  of  one  who  made  the  ocean  his  home. 

"  Adieu  !  "  he  repeated,  signing  to  his  men  to  pull  in  the 
direction  of  the  shoals,  where  it  was  certain  the  ship  could  not 
follow.  "  We  may  meet  again  ;  until  then,  adieu." 

"  We  are  sure  to  meet  with  the  return  of  light." 

"  Believe  it  not,  brave  gentleman.  Our  lady  will  thrust  the 
spars  under  her  girdle,  and  pass  a  fleet  unseen.  A  sailor's 
blessing  on  you  ;  fair  winds  and  a  plenty  ;  a  safe  landfall,  and 
a  cheerful  home  !  Deal  kindly  by  the  boy ;  and,  in  all  but 
evil  wishes  to  my  vessel,  success  light  on  your  ensign  I" 

The  seamen  of  both  boats  dashed  their  oars  into  the  water 
sit  the  same  instant,  and  the  two  parties  were  quickly  without 
the  hearing  of  the  voice. 


WATER-WITCH.  *?f 


CHAPTER  XXVH. 

«  Did  I  tell  this, 
Who  would  believe  me  ?  " 

MEASURE  FOR  MEASURE. 

THE  time  of  the  interview,  related  in  the  close  of  the  pre 
ceding  chapter,  was  in  the  early  watches  of  the  night.  It 
now  becomes  our  duty  to  transport  the  reader  to  another,  that 
took  place  several  hours  later,  and  after  day  had  dawned  on  the 
industrious  burghers  of  Manhattan. 

There  stood  near  one  of  the  wooden  wharves,  which  lined 
the  arm  of  the  sea  on  which  the  city  is  so  happily  placed,  a 
dwelling,  around  which  there  was  every  sign  that  its  owner 
was  engaged  in  a  retail  commerce  that  was  active  and  thriving 
for  that  age  and  country.  Notwithstanding  the  earliness  of 
the  hour,  the  windows  of  this  house  were  open ;  and  an  in 
dividual,  of  a  busy-looking  face,  thrust  his  head  so  often  from 
one  of  the  casements  as  to  show  that  he  already  expected  the 
appearance  of  a  second  party  in  the  affair  that  had  probably 
called  him  from  his  bed  even  sooner  than  common.  A  tre 
mendous  rap  at  the  door  relieved  his  visible  uneasiness  ;  and, 
hastening  to  open  it,  he  received  his  visitor  with  much  parade 
of  ceremony,  and  many  protestations  of  respect,  in  person. 

' '  This  is  an  honor,  my  lord,  that  does  not  often  befall  men 
of  my  humble  condition,"  said  the  master  of  the  house,  in  the 
flippant  utterance  of  a  vulgar  cockney;  "  but  I  thought  it 
would  be  more  agreeable  to  your  lordship  to  receive  the  a — 
a — here,  than  in  the  place  where  your  lordship  just  at  this 
moment  resides.  Will  your  lordship  please  to  rest  yourself, 
after  your,  lordship's  walk?  " 

"I  thank  you,  Carnaby,"  returned  the  other,  taking  the 
offered  seat  with  an  air  of  easy  superiority.  "You  judge 
with  your  usual  discretion,  as  respects  the  place,  though. 
I  doubt  the  prudence  of  seeing  him  at  all.  Has  the  man 
come  ? ' ' 

"  Doubtless,  my  lord;  he  would  hardly  presume  to  keep 
your  lordship  waiting,  and  much  less  would  I  countenance  him 
in  so  gross  a  direspect.  He  will  be  most  happy  to  wait  on  you, 
my  lord,  whenever  your  lordship  shall  please." 

''Let  him  wait:    there  is  no  necessity  for  haste.     He  has 


278  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

probably  communicated  some  of  the  objects  of  this  extroardi* 
nary  call  on  my  time,  Carnaby ;  and  you  can  break  them  in 
tthe  intervening  moments." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say,  my  lord,  that  the  fellow  is  as  obstinate 
as  a  mule.  I  felt  the  impropriety  of  introducing  him  per 
sonally  to  your  lordship ;  but  as  he  insisted  he  had  affairs  that 
would  deeply  interest  you,  my  lord,  I  could  not  take  upon  me 
to  say  what  would  be  agreeable  to  your  lordship,  or  what  not  j 
and  so  I  was  bold  enough  to  write  the  note." 

"  A  very  properly-expressed  note  it  was,  Master  Carnaby. 
I  have  not  received  a  better-worded  communication  since  my 
arrival  in  this  colony." 

"I  am  sure  the  approbation  of  your  lordship  might  justly 
make  any  man  proud  !  It  is  the  ambition  of  my  life,  my 
lord,  to  do  the  duties  of  my  station  in  a  proper  manner,  and 
to  treat  all  above  me  with  a  suitable  respect,  my  lord,  and  all 
below  me  as  in  reason  bound.  If  I  might  presume  to  think  in 
such  a  matter,  my  lord,  I  should  say  that  these  colonists  are 
no  great  judges  of  propriety  in  their  correspondence,  or  in 
deed  in  any  thing  else." 

The  noble  visitor  shrugged  his  shoulder,  and  threw  ar. 
expression  into  his  look  that  encouraged  the  retailer  to  pro 
ceed. 

"It  is  just  what  I  think  myself,  my  lord,"  he  continued, 
simpering;  "but  then,"  he  added,  with  a  condoling  and  pat 
ronizing  air,  "how  should  they  know  any  better ?  England 
is  but  an  island,  after  all ;  and  the  whole  world  cannot  be  born 
and  educated  on  the  same  bit  of  earth." 

"  'Twould  be  inconvenient,  Carnaby,  if  it  led  to  no  other 
unpleasant  consequence." 

"  Almost  word  for  word  what  I  said  to  Mrs.  Carnaby  my 
self,  no  later  than  yesterday,  my  lord,  only  vastly  better  ex 
pressed.  <  'Twould  be  inconvenient/  said  I,  'Mrs.  Carnaby, 
to  take  in  the  other  lodger,  for  everybody  cannot  live  in  the 
same  house ;  '  which  covers  as  it  were,  the  ground  taken  ir. 
your  lordship's  sentiment.  I  ought  to  add,  in  behalf  of  the 
poor  woman,  that  she  expressed  on  the  same  occasion  strong 
regrets  that  it  is  reported  your  lordship  will  be  likely  to  quit  u* 
soon,  on  your  return  to  old  England." 

' '  That  is  really  a  subject  on  which  there  is  more  cause  to 
rejoice  than  to  weep.  This  imprisoning,  or  placing  within 
limits,  so  near  a  relative  of  the  crown,  is  an  affair  that  must 
have  unpleasant  consequences,  and  which  offends  sadly  against 
propriety." 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  2/g 

"It  is  awful,  my  lord  !  If  it  be  not  sacrilege,  by  the  law 
the  greater  the  shame  of  the  opposition  in  Parliament,  wha 
defeat  so  many  other  wholesome  regulations  intended  for  the 
good  of  the  subject." 

"Faith,  I  am  not  sure  I  may  not  be  driven  to  join  them 
myself,  bad  as  they  are,  Carnaby ;  for  this  neglect  of  minis 
ters,  not  to  call  it  by  a  worse  name,  might  goad  a  man  to  a 
inore  heinous 'measure." 

"I  am  sure  nobody  could  blame  your  lordship,  were  your 
lordship  to  join  anybody  or  any  thing,  but  the  French  !  I 
have  often  told  Mrs.  Carnaby  as  much  as  that  in  our  frequent 
conversations  concerning  the  unpleasant  situation  in  which 
your  lordship  is  just  now  placed." 

"  I  had  not  thought  the  awkward  transaction  attracted  so 
much  notice,"  observed  the  other,  evidently  wincing  under  the 
allusion. 

"It  attracts  it  only  in  a  proper  and  respectful  way,  my 
lord.  Neither  Mrs.  Carnaby  nor  myself  ever  indulges  in  any 
of  these  remaks,  but  in  the  the  most  proper  and  truly  English; 
manner." 

1 '  The  reservation  might  palliate  a  greater  error.  That  word 
proper  is  a  prudent  term,  and  expresses  all  one  could  wish.  I 
had  not  thought  you  so  intelligent  and  shrewd  a  man,  Master 
Car naby :  clever  in  the  way  of  business,  I  always  knew  you 
to  be ,  but  so  apt  in  reason,  and  so  matured  in  principle,  is 
what  I  will  confess  I  had  not  expected.  Can  you  form  no  con 
jecture  of  the  business  of  this  man?  " 

"  Not  in  the  least,  my  lord.  I  pressed  the  impropriety  of 
a  personal  interview  ;  for,  though  he  alluded  to  some  business 
or  other,  I  scarcely  know  what,  with  which  he  appeared  to 
think  your  lordship  had  some  connection,  I  did  not  under 
stand  him,  and  we  had  like  to  have  parted  without  an  ex 
planation." 

"I  will  not  see  the  fellow." 

"Just  as  your  lordship  pleases — I  am  sure  that,  after  so- 
many  little  affairs  have  passed  through  my  hands,  I  might  be, 
safely  trusted  with  this  ;  and  I  said  as  much — but  as  he  pos.- 
itively  refused  to  make  me  an  agent,  and  he  insisted  that  it 
was  so  much  to  your  lordship's  interest — why  I  thought,  rny 
lord,  that  perhaps — just  now " 

"Show  him  in." 

Carnaby  bowed  low  rjnd  submissively,  and,  after  busying 
himself  in  placing  the  chairs  aside,  and  adjusting  the  table 


280  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

more  conveniently  for   the   elbow   of  his  guest,  he  left  the 
foom. 

" Where  is  the  man  I  bid  you  keep  in  the  shop?"  de 
manded  the  retailer,  in  a  coarse,  authoritative  voice,  when 
without,  addressing  a  meek  and  humble-looking  lad  who  did 
the  duty  of  clerk.  "I  warrant  me  he  is  left  in  the  kitchen, 
and  you  have  been  idling  about  on  the  walk  !  A  more  heed' 
Jess  and  unattentive  lad  than  yourself  is  not  to  be  found  in 
America,  and  the  sun  never  rises  but  I  repent  having  signeo 
-your  indentures.  You  shall  pay  for  this,  you " 

The  appearance  of  the  person  he  sought  cut  short  the  denun 
ciations  of  the  obsequious  grocer  and  the  domestic  tyrant.  H% 
opened  the  door,  and,  having  again  closed  it,  left  his  two  vis 
itors  together. 

Though  the  degenerate  descendant  of  the  great  Clarendon 
had  not  hesitated  to  lend  his  office  to  cloak  the  irregular  and 
unlawful  trade  that  was  then  so  prevalent  in  the  American 
seas,  he  had  paid  the  sickly  but  customary  deference  to  virtue, 
of  refusing  on  all  occasions  to  treat  personally  with  its  agents 
Sheltered  behind  his  official  and  personal  rank,  he  had  soothefl 
his  feelings  by  tacitly  believing  that  cupidity  is  less  venial  when 
its  avenues  are  hidden ;  and  that,  in  protecting  his  station 
from  an  immediate  contact  with  its  ministers,  he  had  dis- 
•  charged  an  important,  and,  for  one  in  his  situation,  an  im 
perative  duty.  Unequal  to  the  exercise  of  virtue  itself,  h* 
thought  he  had  done  enough  in  preserving  some  of  its  seem- 
liness.  Though  far  from  paying  even  this  slight  homage  to 
decency,  in  his  more  ordinary  habits,  his  pride  of  rank  had, 
on  the  subject  of  so  coarse  a  failing,  induced  him  to  maintain 
an  appearance  which  his  pride  of  character  would  not  have 
suggested.  Carnaby  was  much  the  most  degraded,  and  the 
lowest  of  those  with  whom  he  ever  condescended  to  commun 
icate  directly;  and,  even  with  him,  there  might  have  been 
some  scruple,  had  not  his  necessities  caused  him  to  stoop  so 
far  as  to  accept  pecuniary  assistance  from  one  he  both  despised 
;and  detested. 

When  the  door  opened,  therefore,  the  Lord  Cornbury  rose, 
and,  determined  to  bring  the  interview  to  a  speedy  issue,  he 
turned  to  face  the  individual  who  entered  with  a  mien  into 
which  he  threw  all  the  distance  and  hauteur  that  he  thought 
necessary  for  such  an  object.  But  he  encountered  in  the  mar 
iner  of  the  India  shawl  a  very  different  man  from  the  flattering 
and  obsequious  grocer  who  had  just  quitted  him.  Eye  met 
eye,  his  gaze  of  authority  receiving  a  look  as  steady  if  not  as 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  28i 

curious  as  his  own.  It  was  evident  by  the  composure  cf  the 
fine,  manly  frame  he  saw,  that  its  owner  rested  his  claims  on 
the  aristocracy  of  Nature.  The  noble  forgot  his  acting  under 
the  influence  of  surprise,  and  his  voice  expressed  as  much  of 
admiration  as  command,  when  he  said  : 

"  This,  then,  is  the  *  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  ' 

"  Men  call  me  thus:  if  a  life  passed  on  oceans  gives  a  claim 
to  the  title,  it  has  been  fairly  earned." 

"  Your  character — I  may  say  that  some  portions  of  your  his 
tory — are  not  unknown  to  me.  Poor  Carnaby,  who  is  a  worthy 
and  an  industrious  man,  with  a  growing  family  dependent  on 
his  exertions,  has  entreated  me  to  receive  you,  or  there  might 
be  less  apology  for  this  step  than  I  could  wish.  Men  of  a  cer 
tain  rank,  Master  Skimmer,  owe  so  much  to  their  station  that 
I  rely  on  your  discretion." 

"I  have  stood  in  nobler  presences,  my  lord,  and  found  so 
little  change  by  the  honor  that  I  am  not  apt  to  boast  of  what 
I  see.  Some  of  princely  rank  have  found  their  profit  in  my 
acquaintance." 

"  I  do  not  deny  yo'ir  usefulness,  sir;  it  is  only  the  neces 
sity  of  prudence,  I  would  urge.  There  has  been,  I  believe, 
some  sort  of  implied  contract  between  us — at  least  so  Carnaby 
explains  the  transaction,  for  I  rarely  enter  into  these  details 
myself — by  which  you  may  perhaps  feel  some  right  to  include 
me  in  the  list  of  your  customers.  Men  in  high  places  must 
respect  the  laws,  yet  it  is  not  always  convenient,  or  even  use 
ful,  that  they  should  deny  themselves  every  indulgence  which 
policy  would  prohibit  to  the  mass.  One  who  has  seen  as  much 
of  life  as  yourself  needs  no  explanations  on  this  head  ;  and  I 
cannot  doubt  but  our  present  interview  will  have  a  satisfactory 
termination." 

The  Skimmer  scarce  deemed  it  necessary  to  conceal  the 
contempt  that  caused  his  lip  to  curl,  while  the  other  was  en 
deavoring  to  mystify  his  cupidity ;  when  the  speaker  was  done, 
he  merely  expressed  an  assent  by  a  slight  inclination  of  the 
head.  The  ex-governor  saw  that  his  attempt  was  fruitless, 
and,  by  relinquishing  his  masquerade,  and  yielding  more  to 
his  natural  propensities  and  tastes,  he  succeeded  better. 

"  Carnaby  has  been  a  faithful  agent,"  he  continued,  "and, 
by  his  reports,  it  would  seem  that  our  confidence  has  not  been 
misplaced.  If  fame  speaks  true,  there  is  not  a  more  dexterous 
navigator  of  the  narrow  seas  than  thyself,  Master  Skimmer. 
It  is  to  be  supposed  that  your  correspondents  on  this  coast* 
too,  are  as  lucrative  as  I  doubt  not  they  are  numerous." 


28a  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

'*  He  who  sells  cheap  can  never  want  a  purchaser.  I  think 
your  lordship  has  no  reason  to  complain  of  prices." 

"  As  pointed  as  his  compass  ! — Well,  sir,  as  I  am  no  longer 
master  here,  may  I  ask  the  object  of  this  interview?  " 

"  I  have  come  to  seek  your  interests  in  behalf  of  one  who 
has  fallen  into  the  grasp  of  the  queen's  officers." 

11  Hum — the  amount  of  which  is,  that  the  cruiser  in  the  bay 
has  entrapped  some  careless  smuggler.  We  are  none  of  us 
immortal,  and  an  arrest  is  but  a  legal  death  to  men  of  your 
persuasion  in  commerce.  Interest  is  a  word  of  many  mean 
ings.  It  is  the  interest  of  one  man  to  lend,  and  of  another  to 
borrow ;  of  the  creditor  to  receive,  and  of  the  debtor  to  avoid 
payment.  Then  there  is  interest  at  court,  and  interest  in 
court — in  short,  you  must  deal  more  frankly,  ere  I  can  decide 
on  the  purport  of  your  visit." 

J"I  am  not  ignorant  that  the  queen  has  been  pleased  to 
name  another  governor  over  this  colony,  or  that  your  credi 
tors,  my  lord,  have  thought  it  prudent  to  take  a  pledge  for 
their  dues,  in  your  person.  Still  I  must  think  that  one  who 
stands  so  near  the  queen  in  blood,  and  who  sooner  or  later 
must  enjoy  both  rank  and  fortune  in  the  mother-country,  will 
not  solicit  so  slight  a  boon  as  that  I  ask  without  success.  This 
is  the  reason  I  prefer  to  treat  with  you." 

"  As  clear  an  explanation  as  the  shrewdest  casuist  could  de 
sire  !  I  admire  your  succinctness,  Master  Skimmer,  and  con 
fess  you  for  the  pink  of  etiquette.  When  your  fortune  shall 
be  made,  I  recommend  the  court  circle  as  your  place  of  retire 
ment.  Governors,  creditors,  queen,  and  imprisonment,  all  as 
compactly  placed  in  the  same  sentence,  as  if  it  were  the  creed 
written  on  a  thumb-nail !  Well,  sir,  we  will  suppose  my  in 
terest  what  you  wish  it. — Who  and  what  is  the  delinquent?  " 

"  One  named  Seadrift — a  useful  and  a  pleasant  youth,  who 
passes  much  between  me  and  my  customers ;  heedless  and 
merry  in  his  humors,  but  dear  to  all  in  my  brigantine,  because 
of  tried  fidelity  and  shrewd  wit.  We  could  sacrifice  the 
profits  of  the  voyage  that  he  were  free.  To  me  he  is  a  neces 
sary  agent,  for  his  skill  in  the  judgment  of  rich  tissues,  and 
other  luxuries  that  compose  my  traffic,  is  exceeding ;  and  I  am 
better  fitted  to  guide  the  vessel  to  her  haven,  and  to  look  to 
her  safety  amid  shoal  and  in  tempests,  than  to  deal  in  these 
trifles  of  female  vanity." 

"  So  dexterous  a  go-between  should  not  have  mistaken  a 
tide-waiter  for  a  customer — how  befell  the  accident  ?  " 

"  He  met  the  barge  of  the  Coquette  at  an  unlucky  moment, 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  283 

and  as  we  had  so  lately  been  chased  off  the  coast  by  the 
cruiser,  there  was  no  choice  but  to  arrest  him."  " 

"  The  dilemma  is  not  without  embarrassment.  When  once 
his  mind  is  settled,  it  is  no  trifle  that  will  amuse  this  Mr.  Lud- 
low.  I  do  not  know  a  more  literal  constructor  of  his  orders — 
a  man,  sir,  who  thinks  works  have  but  a  single  set  of  mean 
ings,  and  who  knows  as  little  as  can  be  imagined  of  the  dif 
ference  between  a  sentiment  and  a  practice." 

"He  is  a  seaman,  my  lord,  and  he  reads  his  instructions 
with  a  seaman's  simplicity.  I  think  none  the  worse  of  him, 
that  he  cannot  be  tempted  from  his  duty ;  for,  let  us  under 
stand  the  right  as  we  will,  our  service  once  taken,  it  becomes 
us  all  to  do  it  faithfully." 

A  small  red  spot  came  and  went  on  the  cheek  of  the  profli 
gate  Cornbury.  Ashamed  of  his  weakness,  he  affected  to 
laugh  at  what  he  had  heard,  and  continued  the  discourse. 

"  Your  forbearance  and  charity  might  adorn  a  churchman, 
Master  Skimmer!"  he  answered.  "Nothing  can  be  more 
true,  for  this  is  an  age  of  moral  truths,  as  witness  the  Protes 
tant  succession.  Men  are  not  expected  to  perform,  and  not  to 
profess.  Is  the  fellow  of  such  usefulness  that  he  may  not  be 
abandoned  to  his  fate? " 

"  Much  a/*  I  dote  on  my  brigantine,  and  few  men  set  their 
affections  on  woman  with  a  stronger  love,  I  would  see  the 
beauteous  craft  degenerate  to  a  cutter  for  the  queen's  revenue, 
before  I  would  entertain  the  thought !  But  I  will  not  antici 
pate  a  long  and  painful  imprisonment  for  the  youth,  since 
these  who  are  not  altogether  powerless  already  take  a  deep  and 
friendly  concern  in  his  safety." 

"  You  have  overcome  the  brigadier  !  "  cried  the  other,  in  a 
burst  of  exultation,  that  conquered  the  little  reserve  of  manner 
he  had  thought  it  necessary  to  maintain ;  ' '  that  immaculate 
and  reforming  representative  of  my  royal  cousin  has  bitten  of 
the  golden  bait,  and  proves  a  true  colony  governor  after  all  !  " 

' '  Lord  viscount,  no.  What  we  have  to  hope  or  what  we 
have  to  fear  from  your  successor,  is  to  me  a  secret." 

"  Ply  him  with  promises,  Master  Skimmer — set  golden 
hopes  before  his  imagination  ;  set  gold  itself  before  his  eyes, 
and  you  will  prosper.  I  will  pledge  my  expected  earldom 
that  he  yields  !  Sir,  these  distant  situations  are  like  so  many 
half-authorized  mints,  in  which  money  is  to  be  coined  ;  and 
the  only  counterfeit  is  your  mimic  representative  of  majesty. 
Ply  him  with  golden  hopes  -  'r  mortal,  he  will  yield  I  " 


284  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

"  Yei4  ^y  /ord,  I  have  met  men  who  preferred  poverty  and 
their  opinions,  to  gold  and  the  wishes  of  others." 

"The  dolts  were  lusus  nature!"  exclaimed  the  dissolute 
Cornbury,  losing  all  reserve  in  a  manner  that  better  suited  his 
known  and  confiimed  character.  "  You  should  have  caged 
them,  Skimmer,  and  profited  by  their  dulness  to  lay  the  curt 
ous  under  contribution.  Don't  mistake  me,  sir,  if  I  speak  a 
little  in  confidence.  I  hope  I  know  the  difference  between  a 
gentleman  and  a  le\  slier,  as  well  as  another ;  but,  trust  me, 
this  Mr.  Hunter  is  human,  and  he  will  yield  if  proper  appli 
ances  are  used — and  you  expect  from  me —  ?  " 

"  The  exercise  of  that  influence  which  cannot  fail  of  suc 
cess  ;  since  there  is  a  courtesy  between  men  of  a  certain 
station,  which  causes  them  to  overlook  rivalry,  in  the  spirit  of 
their  caste.  The  cousin  of  Queen  Anne  can  yet  obtain  the 
liberty  of  one  whose  heaviest  crime  is  a  free  trade,  though  he 
may  not  be  able  to  keep  his  own  seat  in  the  chair  of  the 
government." 

"  Thus  far,  indeed,  my  poor  influence  may  yet  extend,  pro 
vided  the  fellow  be  not  named  in  any  act  of  outlawry.  1 
would  gladly  enough,  Mr^  Skimmer,  end  my  deeds  in  this 
hemisphere,  with  some  act  of  graceful  mercy?  if — indeed — 1 
saw — the  means — " 

"  They  shall  not  be  wanting.  I  know  the  law  is  like  any 
other  article  of  great  price  ;  some  think  that  Justice  holds  the 
balance,  in  order  to  weigh  her  fees.  Though  the  profits  of  this 
hazardous  and  sleepless  trade  of  mine  be  much  overrated,  1 
would  gladly  line  her  scales  with  two  hundred  broad  pieces,  to 
have  that  youth  again  safe  in  the  cabin  of  the  brigantine." 

As  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  thus  spoke,  he  drew,  with 
the  calmness  of  a  man  who  saw  no  use  in  circumlocution,  a 
heavy  bag  of  gold  from  beneath  his  frock,  and  deposited  it, 
without  a  second  look  at  the  treasure,  on  the  table.  When 
this  offering  was  made,  he  turned  aside,  less  by  design  than  by 
a  careless  movement  of  the  body,  and,  when  he  faced  his  com 
panion  again,  the  bag  had  vanished. 

"  Your  affection  for  the  lad  is  touching,  Master  Skimmer," 
returned  the  corrupt  Cornbury;  "  it  were  a  pity  such  friend 
ship  should  be  wasted.  Will  there  be  proof  to  insure  his  con* 
demnation  ?  " 

* 'It  may  be  doubted.  His  dealings  have  only  been  with 
the  higher  class  of  my  customers,  and  with  but  few  of  them. 
The  care  I  now  take  is  more  in  tenderness  to  the  youth,  than 
with  any  great  doubts  of  the  result.  I  shall  count  you,  my 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  38$ 

lord,  among  his  protectors,  in  the  event  that  the  affair  is 
noised!" 

'*  I  owe  it  to  your  frankness — but  will  Mr.  Ludlow  content 
himself  with  the  possession  of  an  inferior,  when  the  principal 
is  so  near  ?  and  shall  we  not  have  a  confiscation  of  the  brig- 
antine  on  our  hands?  " 

"  I  sharge  myself  with  the  care  of  all  else.  There  was  in 
deed  a  lucky  escape  only  the  last  night,  as  we  lay  at  a  light 
kedge,  waiting  for  the  return  of  him  who  has  been  arrested. 
Profiting  by  the  possession  of  our  skiff,  the  commander  of  the 
Coquette  himself  got  within  the  sweep  of  my  hawse — nay,  he 
was  in  the  act  of  cutting  the  very  fastenings,  when  the  danger 
ous  design  was  discovered.  'Twould  have  been  a  fate  un 
worthy  of  the  Water- Witch,  to  be  cast  on  shore  like  a  drifting 
log,  and  to  check  her  noble  career  by  some  such  a  seizure  as 
that  of  a  stranded  waif  !  " 

"  You  avoided  the  mischance  ?  " 

"My  eyes  are  seldom  shut,  lord  viscount,  when  there  is 
danger.  The  skiff  was  seen  in  time,  and  watched  ;  for  I 
knew  that  one  in  whom  I  trusted  was  aboard.  When  the 
movement  grew  suspicious,  we  had  our  means  of  frightening 
this  Mr.  Ludlow  from  his  enterprise,  without  recourse  to 
violence." 

"  I  had  not  thought  him  one  to  be  scared  from  following  up 
a  business  like  this." 

"  You  judged  him  rightly — I  may  say  we  judged  him  rightly. 
But  when  his  boats  sought  us  at  our  anchorage,  the  bird  had 
flown." 

"  You  got  the  brigantine  to  sea  in  season  ?  "  observed  Corn- 
bury,  not  sorry  to  believe  that  the  vessel  was  already  off  the 
coast. 

"  I  had  other  business.  My  agent  could  not  be  thus  de 
serted  ,  and  there  were  affairs  to  finish  in  the  city.  Our  course 
lay  up  the  bay." 

"Ha!  Master  Skimmer,  'twas  a  bold  step,  and  one  that 
says  little  for  your  discretion  !  " 

"Lord  viscount,  there  is  safety  in  courage,"  calmly  and 
perhaps  ironically  returned  the  other.  "  While  the  queen's 
captain  closed  all  the  outlets,  my  little  craft  was  floating  quietly 
under  the  hills  of  Staten.  Before  the  morning  watch  was  set, 
she  passed  these  wharves  ;  and  she  now  awaits  her  captain  in 
the  broad  basin  that  lies  beyond  the  bend  of  yonder  head- 
land." 

"  This  is  fool  hardiness.     A  failure  of  wind,  a  change  ol 


286  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

tide,  or  any  of  the  mishaps  common  to  the  sea,  may  throw 
you  on  the  mercy  of  the  law,  and  will  greatly  embarrass  all 
who  feel  an  interest  in  your  safety." 

"  So  far  as  this  apprehension  is  connected  with  my  wel 
fare,  I  thank  you  much,  my  lord ;  but,  trust  me,  many 
hazards  have  left  me  but  little  to  learn  in  this  particular.  We 
shall  run  the  Hell-Gate,  and  gain  the  open  sea  by  the  Con 
necticut  Sound." 

"  Truly,  Master  Skimmer,  one  has  need  of  nerves  to  be 
your  confident !  Faith  in  a  compact  constitutes  the  beauty  of 
social  order ;  without  it  there  is  no  security  for  interests,  nor 
»ny  repose  for  character.  But  faith  may  be  implied  as  well  as 
expressed ;  and  when  men  in  certain  situations  place  theii 
dependence  on  others  who  should  have  motives  for  being  wary, 
the  first  are  bound  to  respect,  even  to  the  details  of  a  most 
scrupulous  construction,  the  conditions  of  the  covenant.  Sir, 
I  wash  nay  hands  of  this  transaction,  if  it  be  understood  that 
testimony  is  to  be  accumulated  against  us,  by  thus  putting  your 
Water- Witch  in  danger  of  trial  before  the  Admiralty." 

"I  am  sorry  that  this  is  your  decision,"  returned  the 
Skimmer.  "  What  is  done  cannot  be  recalled,  though  I  still 
hope  it  may  be  remedied.  My  brigantine  now  lies  within  a 
league  of  this,  and  'twould  be  treachery  to  deny  it.  Since  it 
is  your  opinion,  my  lord,  that  our  contract  is  not  valid,  there 
is  little  use  in  its  seal — the  broad  pieces  may  still  be  service 
able  in  shielding  that  youth  from  harm." 

"You  are  as  literal  in  constructions,  Master  Skimmer,  as  a 
school-boy's  version  of  his  Virgil.  There  is  an  idiom  in 
diplomacy,  as  well  as  in  language,  and  one  who  treats  so 
sensibly  should  not  be  ignorant  of  its  phrases.  Bless  me,  sir  ; 
an  hypothesis  is  not  a  conclusion,  any  more  than  a  promise  is 
a  performance.  That  which  is  advanced  by  way  of  supposi 
tion,  is  but  the  ornament  of  reasoning,  while  your  gold  has  the 
more  solid  character  of  demonstration.  Our  bargain  is 
made." 

The  unsophisticated  mariner  regarded  the  noble  casuist  a  mo 
ment,  in  doubt  whether  to  acquiesce  in  this  conclusion  or  not ; 
but,  ere  he  had  decided  on  his  course,  the  windows  of  the 
room  were  shaken  vioiently,  and  the  heavy  roar  of  a  piece  of 
ordnance  succeeded. 

"  The  morning  gun  !  "  exclaimed  Cornbury,  who  started  at 
the  explosiqn,  with  the  sensitiveness  of  one  unworthy  em 
ployed.  "  No  !  'tis  "^  hour  past  the  rising  of  the  sun  !  " 

The   Skimmer  showed  no  yielding   of  the  nerves,  though 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  287 

it  was  evident,  by  his  attitude  of  thought  and  the  momentary 
fixedness  of  his  eye,  that  he  foresaw  danger  was  near.  Mov 
ing  to  the  window,  he  looked  out  on  the  water,  and  instantly 
drew  back,  like  one  who  wanted  no  further  evidence. 

''Our  bargain  then  is  made,"  he  said,  hastily  approaching 
the  viscount,  whose  hand  he  seized  and  wrung  in  spite  of  the 
other's  obvious  reluctance  to  allow  the  familiarity;  "  our  bar 
gain  then  is  made.  Deal  fairly  by  the  youth,  and  the  deed 
will  be  remembered — deal  treacherously,  and  it  shall  be  re- 
renged!" 

For  one  instant  longer  the  Skimmer  held  the  member  df  the 
effeminate  Cornbury  imprisoned  ;  then,  raising  his  cap  with  a 
courtesy  that  appeared  more  in  deference  to  himself  than  his 
companion,  he  turned  on  his  heel,  and  with  a  firm  but  quick 
step  he  left  the  house. 

Carnaby,  who  entered  on  the  instant,  found  his  guest  in  a 
state  between  resentment,  surprise,  and  alarm.  But  habitual 
levity  soon  conquered  other  feelings,  and,  finding  himself  freed 
from  the  presence  of  a  man  who  had  treated  him  with  so 
little  ceremony,  the  ex-governor  shook  his  head,  like  one  ac 
customed  to  submit  to  evils  he  could  not  obviate,  and  assumed 
the  ease  and  insolent  superiority  he  was  accustomed  to  main 
tain  in  the  presence  of  the  obsequious  grocer. 

"  This  may  be  a  coral  or  a  pearl,  or  any  other  precious  gem 
of  the  ocean,  Master  Carnaby,"  he  said,  unconscious  himself 
that  he  was  in  a  manner  endeavoring  to  cleanse  his  violated 
hand  from  the  touch  it  had  endured,  by  the  use  of  his  hand 
kerchief,  "but  it  is  one  on  which  the  salt  water  hath  left  its 
crust.  Truly  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  I  am  never  again  to  be 
blockaded  by  such  a  mor  ster,  or  I  may  better  say,  harpooned  ; 
for  the  familiarity  of  the  boatswain  is  more  painful  than  any 
inventions  of  his  brethren  of  the  deep  can  prove  to  their  rel 
ative  the  leviathan.  Has  the  clock  told  the  hour !  " 

" 'Tis  not  yet  six,  my  lord,  and  there  is  abundant  leisure 
for  your  lordship  to  return  in  season  to  your  lordship's  lodg 
ings.  Mrs.  Carnaby  has  dared  to  flatter  herself  that  your 
lordship  will  condescend  to  honor  us  so  far  as  to  taste  a  dish 
of  bohea  under  our  humble  roof." 

"What  is  the  meaning  of  that  gun,  Master  Carnaby?  It 
gave  the  alarm  to  the  smuggler,  as  if  it  had  been  a  summoni 
from  Execution  Dock,  or  a  groan  from  the  ghost  of  Kidd." 

"  I  never  presumed  to  think,  my  lord.  I  suppose  it  to  bt 
some  pleasure  of  her  majesty's  officers  in  the  fort ;  and,  when 


288  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

that  is  the  case,  one  is  quite  certain  that  all  is  proper,,  and 
very  English,  my  lord." 

"  'Fore  George,  sir,  English  or  Ducth,  it  had  the  quality 
to  frighten  this  sea- fowl — this  curlew — this  albatross,  from  his 
perch  !  " 

"Upon  my  duty  to  your  lordship,  your  lordship  has  the 
severest  wit  of  any  gentleman  in  her  majesty's  kingdom  ;  but 
all  the  nobility  and  gentry  are  so  witty  that  it  is  quite  an 
honor  and  an  edification  to  hear  them  !  If  it  is  your  lord 
ship's  pleasure,  I  will  look  out  of  the  window,  my  lord,  and  see 
if  there  be  anything  visible." 

11  Do  so,  Master  Carnaby — I  confess  a  little  curiosity  to 
know  what  has  given  the  alarm  to  my  sea-lion — ha  !  do  I  not 
see  the  masts  of  a  ship  moving  above  the  roofs  of  yonder  line 
of  stores?" 

"  Well,  your  lordship  has  the  quickest  eye,  and  the  happiest 
way  of  seeing  things,  of  any  nobleman  in  England  .'  Now,  I 
should  have  stared  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  before  I  thought  of 
looking  over  the  roofs  of  those  stores  at  all ;  and  yet  your 
lordship  looks  there  at  the  very  first  glance." 

"Is  it  a  ship  or  a  brig,  Master  Carnaby — you  have  the  ad 
vantage  of  position,  for  I  would  not  willingly  be  seen — speak 
quickly,  dolt ;  ship  or  brig?  " 

"My  lord — 'tis  a  brig — or  a  ship — really  I  must  ask  your 
lordship,  for  I  know  so  little  of  these  things — " 

"Nay,  complaisant  Master  Carnaby — have  an  opinion  of 
four  own  for  one  moment,  if  you  please — there  is  smoke  curl- 
Ting  upward,  behind  those  masts — " 

Another  rattling  of  windows,  and  a  second  report,  removed 
,ill  doubts  on  the  subject  of  the  firing.  At  the  next  instant, 
the  bows  of  a  vessel  of  war  appeared  at  the  opening  of  a  ship 
yard  ;  then  came  gun  after  gun  in  view,  until  the  whole 
'broadside  of  the  Coquette  was  visible. 

The  viscount  sought  no  further  solution  of  the  reason  why 
Tfhe  Skimmer  had  left  him  so  hurriedly.  Fumbling  a  moment 
yn  a  pocket,  he  drew  forth  a  hand  filled  with  broad  pieces  of 
gold.  These  he  appeared  about  to  lay  upon  the  table ;  but, 
AS  it  were  by  forgetfulness,  he  kept  the  member  closed,  and, 
bidding  the  grocer  adieu,  he  left  the  house,  with  as  firm  a  reso 
lution  as  was  ever  made  by  any  man,  conscious  of  having  done 
both  a  weak  and  a  wicked  action,  of  never  again  putting  him 
self  in  familiar  contact  with  so  truckling  a  miscreant. 


THE  WATER.WfTCH. 


CHAPTER  XXVIIt 

*  What  care  these  roarers  for  the  name  of  king  ?  ** 

TEMPEST. 

THE  Manhattanese  will  readily  comprehend  the  situation  of. 
the  two  vessels ;  but  those  of  our  countrymen  who  live  in  dis 
tant  parts  of  the  Union,  may  be  glad  to  have  the  localities  ex 
plained. 

Though  the  vast  estuary  which  receives  the  Hudson  and  so 
many  minor  streams  is  chieliy  made  Dy  an  indentation  of  the 
continent,  that  portion  of  it  which  forms  the  port  of  New  YorK 
is  separated  from  the  ocean  by  the  happy  position  of  its 
islands.  Of  the  latter  there  are  two,  which  give  the  general 
character  to  the  basin,  and  even  to  a  long  line  of  coast; 
while  several  that  are  smaller,  serve  as  useful  and  beautiful  ac 
cessories  to  the  haven  and  to  the  landscape.  Between  the  bay 
of  Raritan  and  that  of  New  York  there  are  two  communica 
tions,  one  between  the  islands  of  Staten  and  Nassau,  called  the 
Narrows,  which  is  the  ordinary  ship  channel  of  the  port,  and 
the  other  between  Staten  and  the  main,  which  is  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Kills.  It  is  by  means  of  the  latter  that  vessels 
pass  into  the  neighboring  waters  of  New  Jersey,  and  have  ad- 
cess  to  so  many  of  the  rivers  of  that  State.  But  while  the 
island  of  Staten  does  so  much  for  the  security  and  facilities 
of  the  port,  that  of  Nassau  produces  an  effect  on  a  great  ex 
tent  cf  coast.  After  sheltering  one-half  of  the  harbor  from 
the  ocean,  the  latter  approaches  so  near  the  continent  as  to 
narrow  the  passage  between  them  to  the  length  of  two  cables, 
and  then,  stretching  away  eastward  for  the  distance  of  a  hun 
dred  miles,  it  forms  a  wide  and  beautiful  sound.  After  pas*- 
ing  a  cluster  ot  islands,  at  a  point  which  lies  forty  leagues  from 
the  city,  by  another  passage,  vessels  can  gain  the  open  sea. 

The  seaman  will  at  once  understand  that  the  tide  of  flood 
must  necessarily  flow  into  these  vast  estuaries  from  different 
directions.  The  current  which  enters  by  Sandy  Hook  (the 
scene  of  so  much  of  this  tale)  flows  westward  into  the  Jersey 
rivers,  northward  into  the  Hudson,  and  eastward  along  the 
arm  of  the  sea  that  lies  between  Nassau  and  the  main.  The 
current  that  comes  by  the  way  of  Montauk,  or  the  eastern  e» 

10 


2gp  THE    WATER-WITCH* 

tremity  of  Nassau,  raises  the  vast  basin  of  the  sound,  fills  tfca 
streams  of  Connecticut,  and  meets  the  western  tide  at  a  place 
called  Throgmorton,  and  within  twenty  miles  of  the  city. 

As  the  size  of  the  estuaries  is  so  great,  it  is  scarcely  neces 
sary  to  explain  that  Jhe  pressure  of  such  wide  sheets  or  water 
causes  the  currents,  at  all  the  narrow  passes,  to  be  exceedingly 
rapid  ;  since  that  equal  diffusion  of  the  element,  which  de 
pends  on  a  natural  law,  must,  wherever  there  is  a  deficiency 
of  space,  be  obtained  by  its  velocity.  There  is,  consequently,, 
a  quick  tide  throughout  the  whole  distance  between  the  harbor 
and  Throgmorton  ;  while  it  is  permitted  to  poetic  license  to 
say  that,  at  the  narrowest  part  of  the  channel,  the  water  darts 
by  the  land  like  an  arrow  parting  from  its  bow.  Owing  to  a 
sudden  bend  in  the  course  of  the  stream,  which  inakes  two 
right  angles  within  a  short  distance,  the  dangerous  position  of 
many  rocks  that  are  visible  and  more  that  are  hot,  and  the 
confusion  produced  by  currents,  counter-currents,  and  eddies, 
this  critical  pass  has  received  the  name  of  "  Heli  Gate."  It 
is  memorable  for  causing  many  a  gentle  bosom  to  palpitate 
with  a  terror  that  is  a  little  exaggerated  by  the  boding  name, 
though  it  is  constantly  the  cause  of  pecuniary  losses,  and  has 
in  many  instances  been  the  source  of  much  personal  danger. 
It  was  here  that  a  British  frigate  was  lost,  during  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  in  consequence  of  having  struck  a  rock  called 
"  the  Pot,"  the  blow  causing  the  ship  to  fill  and  to  founder  so 
suddenly  that  even  some  of  her  people  are  said  to  have  been 
drowned.  A  similar  but  a  greatly  lessened  effect  is  produced 
in  the  passage  among  the  islands,  by  which  vessels  gain  the 
ocean  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  sound ;  though  the  mag 
nitude  of  the  latter  sheet  of  water  is  so  much  greater  than  that 
of  Raritan  Bay  and  the  harbor  of  New  York,  that  the  force  of 
its  pressure  is  diminished  by  a  corresponding  width  in  the 
outlets.  With  these  explanations  we  shall  return  to  the  thread 
of  the  narrative. 

When  the  person,  who  has  so  long  been  known  in  our  pages 
by  the  nom  de  guerre  of  Tiller,  gained  the  open  street,  he  had 
a  better  opportunity  of  understanding  the  nature  of  the  danger 
which  so  imminently  pressed  upon  the  brigantine.  With  a 
single  glance  at  the  symmetrical  spars  and  broad  yards  of  the 
ship  that  was  sweeping  past  the  town,  he  knew  her  to  be  the 
Coquette.  The  little  flag  at  her  foretop-gallant  mast  sufficiently 
explained  the  meaning  of  the  gun  ;  for  the  two,  in  conjunc 
tion  with  the  direction  the  ship  was  steerinvr,  told  him,  in  lan 
guage  that  any  seaman  could  comprehend,  that  she  demanded 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  291 

A  Htll-Gate  pilot.  By  the  time  the  Skimmer  reached  the  end 
of  *  lone  wharf,  where  a  light  and  swift-rowing  boat  awaited 
his  return,  the  second  report  bespoke  the  impatience  of  his 
pursuers  to  be  furnished  with  the  necessary  guide. 

Though  the  navigation  in  this  republic,  coastwise,  now  em 
ploys  a  tonnage  equalling  that  used  in  all  the  commerce  of  any 
other  nation  of  Christendom,  England  alone  excepted,  it  was 
of  no  great  amount  at  the  commencement  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  A  single  ship,  lying  at  the  wharves,  and  two  or 
three  brigs  and  schooners  at  anchor  in  the  rivers,  composed 
the  whole  show  of  sea-vessels  then  in  port.  To  these  were  to 
be  added  some  twenty  smaller  coasters  and  river-craft,  most  of 
whom  were  the  shapeless  and  slow-moving  masses  which  then 
plied,  in  voyages  of  a  month's  duration,  between  the  two  prin 
cipal  towns  of  the  colony.  The  appeal  of  the  Coquette, 
therefore,  at  that  hour  and  in  that  age,  was  not  likely  to  be 
very  quickly  answered. 

The  ship  had  got  fairly  into  the  arm  of  the  sea  which  sep 
arates  the  island  of  Manhattan  from  that  of  Nassau,  and 
thongh  it  was  not  then,  as  now,  narrowed  by  artificial  means, 
its  tide  was  so  strong  as,  aided  by  the  breeze,  to  float  her 
swiftly  onward.  A  third  gun  shook  the  windows  of  the  city, 
cauring  many  a  worthy  burgher  to  thrust  his  head  through  his 
casement ;  yet  no  boat  was  seen  pulling  from  the  land,  nor 
was  there  any  other  visible  sign  that  the  signal  would  be 
speedily  obeyed.  Still,  the  royal  cruiser  stood  steadily  on, 
with  sail  packed  above  sail,  and  every  sheet  of  canvas  spread, 
that  the  direction  of  the  wind,  which  blew  a  little  forward  of 
the  beam,  would  allow. 

"  We  must  pull  for  our  own  safety,  and  that  of  the  brigan- 
tine,  my  men,"  said  the  Skimmer,  springing  into  his  boat  and 
seizing  the  tiller.  "A  quick  stroke,  and  a  strong  ! — here  is 
no  time  for  holiday  feathering,  or  your  man-of-war  jerk  !  Give 
way,  boys;  give  way,  with  a  will,  and  together  !  " 

These  were  sounds  that  had  often  saluted  the  ears  of  men 
engaged  in  the  hazardous  pursuit  of  his  crew.  The  oars  fell 
into  the  water  at  the  same  moment,  and,  quick  as  thought,  the 
little  bark  was  in  the  strength  of  the  current. 

The  short  range  of  wharves  was  soon  passed,  and,  ere  many 
minutes,  the  boat  was  gliding  up  with  the  tide,  between  the 
bluffs  of  Long  Island  and  the  projection  which  forms  the 
angle  on  that  part  of  Manhattan.  Here  the  Skimmer  was  in 
duced  to  sheer  more  into  the  center  of  the  passage,  in  ordei 
to  avoid  the  eddies  formed  by  the  point,  and  to  preserve  the 


3Q2  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

whole  benefit  of  the  current.  As  the  boat  approached  Cor« 
laer's,  his  eye  was  anxiously  examining  the  wider  reach  of  the 
water,  that  began  to  open  above,  in  quest  of  his  brigantine. 
Another  gun  was  heard.  A  moment  after  the  report,  there 
followed  the  whistling  of  a  shot ;  then  succeeded  the  rebound 
on  the  water  and  the  glittering  particles  of  the  spray.  Th« 
ball  glanced  a  few  hundred  feet  farther,  and,  skipping  fronfc 
place  to  place,  it  soon  sank  into  the  element. 

"This  Mr.  Ludlow  is  disposed  to  kill  two  birds  with  th* 
same  stone,"  coolly  observed  the  Skimmer,  not  even  bending 
his  head  aside,  to  note  the  position  of  the  ship.  "  He  wakes 
the  burghers  of  the  town  with  his  noise,  while  he  menaces  ou* 
boat  with  his  shot.  We  are  seen,  my  friends,  and  have  no 
dependence  but  our  own  manhood,  with  some  assistance  from 
the  lady  of  the  sea-green  mantle.  A  quicker  stroke,  and  & 
-strong  !  You  have  the  queen's  cruiser  before  you,  Master 
Coil ;  does  she  show  boats  on  her  quarters,  or  are  the  davitw 
empty  ? ' ' 

The  seaman  addressed  pulled  the  stroke-oar  of  the  boat, 
and  consequently  he  faced  the  Coquette.  Without  in  the  least 
relaxing  his  exertions,  he  rolled  his  eyes  over  the  ship,  and 
answered  with  a  steadiness  that  showed  him  to  be  a  man 
accustomed  to  situations  of  hazard. 

"His  boat-falls  are  as  loose  as  a  mermaid's  locks,  your 
honor,  and  he  shows  few  men  in  his  tops ;  there  are  enough 
of  the  rogues  left,  however,  to  give  us  another  shot." 

"  Her  majesty's  servants  are  early  awake  this  morning. 
Another  stroke  or  two,  hearts  of  oak,  and  we  throw  them  be« 
hind  the  land  !  " 

A  second  shot  fell  into  the  water  just  without  the  blades  of 
the  oars;  then  the  boat,  obedient  to  its  helm,  whirled  round 
the  point,  and  the  ship  was  no  longer  visible.  As  the  cruise* 
was  shut  in  by  the  formation  of  the  land,  the  brigantine  cam* 
into  view  on  the  opposite  side  of  Corlaer's.  Notwithstanding 
the  calmness  that  reigned  in  the  features  of  the  Skimmer,  one 
who  studied  his  countenance  closely  might  have  seen  an  ex 
pression  of  concern  shadowing  his  manly  face,  as  the  Watei 
Witch  met  his  eye.  Still  he  spoke  not,  concealing  his  uneasu 
ness,  if  in  truth  he  felt  any,  from  those  whose  exertions  wert 
at  that  moment  of  the  last  importance.  As  the  crew  of  tht 
expecting  vessel  saw  their  boat,  they  altered  their  course,  and 
the  two  were  soon  together. 

"  Why  is  that  signal  still  flying?  "  demanded  vhe  &kiu>mer, 
the  instant  his  foot  touched  tke  dec*  of  k 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  293 

pointing,  as  he  spoke,  at  the  little  flag  that  fluttered  at  the 
head  of  the  forward  mast. 

"  We  keep  it  aloft  to  hasten  off  the  pilot,"  was  the  answer. 

''Has  not  the  treacherous  knave  kept  faith?"  exclaimed 
the  Skimmer,  half  recoiling  in  surprise.  "  He  has  my  gold, 
and  in  return  I  hold  fifty  of  his  worthless  promises — ha  !  the 
laggard  is  in  yon  skiff;  wear  the  brig  round  and  meet  him, 
for  moments  are  as  precious  now  as  water  in  a  desert." 

The  helm  was  a-weather,  and  the  lively  brigantine  had 
already  turned  more  than  half  aside,  when  another  gun  drew 
every  eye  toward  the  point.  The  smoke  was  seen  rising  above 
the  bend  of  the  landv  and  presently  the  head -sails,  followed  by 
all  the  hull  and  spars  of  the  Coquette,  came  into  view.  At 
that  instant  a  voice  from  forward  announced  that  the  pilot  had 
turned,  and  was  rowing  with  all  his  powers  toward  the  shore. 
The  imprecations  that  were  heaped  on  the  head  of  the  delin 
quent  were  many  and  deep,  but  it  was  no  time  for  indecision. 
The  two  vessels  were  not  half  a  mile  apart,  and  now  was  the 
moment  to  show  the  qualities  of  the  Water- Witch.  Her  helm 
was  shifted  ;  and,  as  if  conscious  herself  cf  the  danger  that 
threatened  her  liberty,  the  beautiful  fabric  came  sweeping  up 
to  her  course,  and,  inclining  to  the  breeze,  with  one  heavy 
flap  of  the  canvas  she  glided  ahead  with  her  wonted  ease. 
But  the  royal  cruder  was  a  ship  of  ten  thousand  !  For  twenty 
minutes,  the  nicest  eye  might  have  been  at  a  loss  to  say  which 
lost  or  which  gained,  so  equally  did  the  pursuer  and  the  pur 
sued  hold  on  their  way.  As  the  brigantine  was  the  first,  how 
ever,  to  reach  the  narrow  passage  formed  by  Blackwell's,  her 
motion  was  favored  by  the  increasing  power  of  the  stream. 
It  would  seem  that  this  change,  slight  as  it  was,  did  not 
escape  the  vigilance  of  those  in  the  Coquette ;  for  the  gun, 
vhich  had  been  silent  so  long,  again  sent  forth  its  flame  and 
smoke.  Four  discharges,  in  less  than  so  many  minutes, 
threatened  a  serious  disadvantage  to  the  free-traders.  Shot 
after  shot  passed  among  their  spars,  and  opened  wide  rents  in 
the  canvas.  A  few  more  such  assaults  would  deprive  them  of 
their  means  of  motion.  Aware  of  the  crisis,  the  accomplished, 
and  prompt  seaman  who  governed  her  movements  needed  but 
an  instant  to  form  his  decision. 

The  brigantine  was  now  nearly  up  with  the  head  of  Black- 
well's.  It  wa^  half-flood  on  a  spring  tide.  The  reef  that 
projects  from  the  western  end  of  the  island  far  into  the  reach; 
below,  was  nearly  covered  ;  but  still  enough  was  visible  to 
show  the  nature  of  the  barrier  it  presented  to  a  .oassajre  from 


294  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

one  shore  to  the  other.  There  was  one  rock,  near  the  island 
itself,  which  lifted  its  black  head  high  above  the  water.  Be 
tween  this  dark  mass  of  stone  and  the  land,  there  was  an 
opening  of  some  twenty  fathoms  in  width.  The  Skimmer 
saw,  by  the  even  and  unbroken  waves  that  rolled  through  the 
passage,  that  the  bottom  lay  less  near  to  the  surface  of  the 
water  in  that  opening,  than  at  any  other  point  along  the  line 
of  reef.  He  commanded  the  helm  a-weather  once  more,  and 
calmly  trusted  to  the  issue. 

Not  a  man  on  board  that  brigantine  was  aware  that  the  shot 
of  the  royal  cruiser  was  whistling  between  their  masts,  and 
damaging  their  gear,  as  the  little  vessel  glided  into  the  narrow 
opening.  A  single  blow  on  the  rock  would  have  been  de 
struction,  and  the  lesser  danger  was  entirely  absorbed  in  the 
greater.  But  when  the  passage  was  cleared,  and  the  true 
stream  in  the  other  channel  gained,  a  common  shout  pro 
claimed  both  the  weight  of  their  apprehension  and  their  relief. 
In  another  minute  the  head  of  BlackweU's  protected  them 
from  the  shot  of  their  pursuers. 

The  length  of  the  reef  prevented  the  Coquette  from  chang 
ing  her  direction,  and  her  draught  of  water  closed  the  passage 
between  the  rock  and  the  island.  But  the  deviation  from  the 
straight  course,  and  the  passage  of  the  eddies,  had  enabled 
the  ship,  which  came  steadily  on,  to  range  up  nearly  abeam 
of  her  chase.  Both  vessels,  though  separated  by  the  long, 
narrow  island,  were  now  fairly  in  the  force  of  those  currents 
which  glide  so  swiftly  ^through  the  confined  passages.  A  sud 
den  thought  glanced  on  the  mind  of  the  Skimmer,  and  he  lost 
no  time  in  attempting  to  execute  its  suggestion.  Again  the 
helm  was  put  up,  and  the  image  of  the  sea-green  lady  was 
seen  struggling  to  stem  the  rapid  waters.  Had  this  effort  been 
crowned  with  success,  the  triumph  of  her  followers  would 
have  been  complete  ;  since  the  brigantine  might  have  reached 
some  of  the  eddies  of  the  reach  below,  and,  leaving  her 
heavier  pursuer  to  contend  with  the  strength  of  the  tide,  she 
would  have  gained  the  open  sea  by  the  route  over  which  she 
had  so  lately  passed.  But  a  single  minute  of  trial  convinced 
the  bold  mariner  that  his  decision  came  too  late.  The  wind 
was  insufficient  to  pass  the  gorge  ;  and,  environed  by  the  land, 
with  a  tide  that  grew  stronger  at  each  moment,  he  saw  that 
delay  would  be  destruction.  Once  more  tlje  light  vessel 
yielded  to  the  helm,  and,  with  every  thing  set  to  the  best 
advantage,  she  darted  along  the  passage. 

Jn  the  mean  time,  the  Coquette  had  not  been  idle.     Bon.* 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  295 

on  by  the  breeze,  and  floating  with  the  current,  she  had  even 
gained  upon  her  chase  ;  and,  as  her  lofty  and  light  sails  drew 
strongest  over  the  land,  there  was  every  prospect  of  her  first 
reaching  the  eastern  end  of  Blackwell's.     Ludlow  saw  his  ad 
vantage,  and  made  his  preparations  accordingly. 

There  needs  little  explanation  to  render  the  circumstances 
which  brought  the  royal  cruiser  up  to  town,  intelligible  to  the 
reader.  As  t*1?  morning  approached,  she  had  entered  more 
deeply  into  the  bay  ;  and  when  the  light  permitted,  those  on 
board  her  had  been  able  to  see  that  no  vessel  Jay  beneath  the 
hills,  nor  in  any  of  the  more  retired  places  of  the  estuary.  A 
fisherman,  however,  removed  the  last  of  their  doubts,  by  re 
porting  tnat  he  had  seen  a  vessel,  whose  description  answered 
that  of  the  Water- Witch,  passing  the  Narrows  in  the  middle 
watch.  He  added  that  a  swiftly-rowing  boat  was,  shortly 
after,  'seen  pulling  in  the  same  direction.  This  clew  had  been 
sufficient.  Ludlow  made  a  signal  for  his  own  boats  to  close 
the  passage  of  the  Kills  and  the  Narrows,  and  then,  as  has 
been  seen,  he  steered  directly  into  the  harbor. 

When  Ludlow  found  himself  in  the  position  just  described, 
he  turned  all  his  attention  to  the  double  object  of  preserving 
his  own  vessel  and  arresting  that  of  the  free-trader.  Though 
there  was  still  a  possibility  of  damaging  the  spars  of  the  brig- 
antine  by  firing  across  the  land,  the  feebleness  of  his  own 
crew,  reduced  as  it  was  by  more  than  half  its  numbers,  the 
danger  of  doing  injury  to  the  farm-houses  that  were  here  and 
there  placed  along  the  low  cliffs,  and  the  necessity  of  prepara 
tion  to  meet  the  critical  pass  ahead,  united  to  prevent  the  at 
tempt.  The  ship  was  no  sooner  fairly  entered  into  the  pass 
between  Blackwell's  and  Nassau,  than  he  issued  an  order  to 
secure  the  guns  that  had  been  used,  and  to  clear  away  the 
anchors. 

11  Cock-bill  the  bowers,  sir,"  he  hastily  added,  in  his  orders 
to  Tryssril.  "  We  are  in  no  condition  to  sport  with  stock -and  - 
fluke  ;  have  every  thing  ready  to  let  go  at  a  word  ;  and  see  the 
grapnels  ready — we  will  throw  them  aboard  the  smuggler  as 
we  close,  and  take  him  alive.  Once  fast  to  the  chain,  we  are 
yet  strong  enough  to  haul  him  in  under  our  scuppers,  and  to 
capture  him  with  the  pumps  !  Is  the  signal  still  abroad  for  a 
pilot?*' 

"  We  keep  it  flying,  sir,  but  'twill  be  a  swift  boat  that  over 
hauls  us  in  this  tide's- way.  The  Gate  begins  at  yonder  bend 
in  the  land,  Captain  Ludlow." 

u  Keep  it  abroad  ;  the  lazy  rogues  are  sometimes  loitering 


296  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

in  the  cove  this  side  the  rocks,  and  chance  may  throw  one  of 
them  aboard  us,  as  we  pass.  See  to  the  anchors,  sir,  the  ship 
is  driving  through  this  channel  like  a  race-horse  under  the 
whip !  " 

The  men  were  hurriedly  piped  to  this  duty,  while  their 
young  commander  took  his  station  on  the  poop,  now  anxiously 
examining  the  courses  of  the  tides,  and  the  positions  of  the 
eddies,  and  now  turning  his  eyes  toward  the  brigantine,  whose 
apper  spars  and  white  sails  were  to  be  seen,  at  the  distance  of 
two  hundred  fathoms,  glancing  past  the  trees  of  the  island. 
But  miles  and  minutes  seemed  like  rods  and  moments,  in  that 
swift  current.  Trysail  had  just  reported  the  anchors  ready, 
when  the  ship  swept  up  abreast  of  the  cove,  where  vessels 
often  seek  an  anchorage,  to  await  favorable  moments  for  enter 
ing  the  Gate.  Ludlow  saw,  at  a  glance,  that  the  place  was 
entirely  empty.  For  an  instant  he  yielded  to  the  heavy  re 
sponsibility — a  responsibility  before  which  a  seaman  sooner 
shrinks  than  before  any  other — that  of  charging  himself  with 
the  duty  of  the  pilot ;  and  he  thought  of  running  into  the 
anchorage  foi  ^helter.  But  another  glimpse  at  the  spars  of  the 
brigantine  caused  him  to  waver. 

*4  We  are  near  the  gate,  sir  !  "  cried  Trysail,  in  a  voice  that 
was  full  of  warning. 

"  Yon  daring  mariner  stands  on  !  " 

"  The  rogue  sails  his  vessel  without  the  queen's  permission, 
Captain  Ludlow.  They  tell  me  this  is  a  passage  that  has  been 
well  named !  " 

"  I  have  been  through  it,  and  will  vouch  for  its  character- 
he  shows  no  signs  of  anchoring  !  " 

"  If  the  woman  who  points  his  course  can  carry  him  through 
safely,  she  deserves  her  title.  We  are  passing  the  cove,  Cap 
tain  Ludlow  !  " 

"  We  are  past  it !  "  returned  Ludlow,  breathing  heavily. 
"  Let  there  be  no  whisper  in  the  ship — pilot  or  no  pilot,  we 
now  sink  or  swim  !  " 

Trysail  had  ventured  to  remonstrate,  while  there  was  a  pos 
sibility  of  avoiding  the  danger ;  but,  like  his  commander,  he 
saw  that  all  depended  now  on  their  own  coolness  and  care. 
He  passed  busily  among  the  crew;  saw  that  each  brace  and 
bowline  was  manned  ;  cautioned  the  few  young  officers  who 
continued  on  board  to  vigilance  ;  and  then  awaited  the  orders 
of  his  superior,  with  the  composure  that  is  so  necessary  to  a 
seaman  in  the  moment  of  trial.  Ludlow  himself,  while  he 
felt  the  load  of  responsibility  he  had  assumed,  succeeded 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  29? 

equally  well  in  maintaining  an  outward  calm.  The  ship  was 
irretrievably  in  the  Gate,  and  no  human  power  could  retrace 
the  step.  At  such  moments  of  intense  anxiety,  the  human 
mind  is  wont  to  seek  support  in  the  opinions  of  others.  Not 
withstanding  the  increasing  velocity  and  the  critical  condition 
of  his  own  vessel,  Ludlow  cast  a  glance,  in  order  to  ascertain 
the  determination  of  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas."  Black- 
well's  was  already  behind  them,  and,  as  the  two  currents  were 
again  united,  the  brigantine  had  luffed  up  into  the  entrance 
of  the  dangerous  passage,  and  now  followed  within  two  hun 
dred  feet  of  the  Coquette,  directly  in  her  wake.  The  bold  and 
manly-looking  mariner,  who  controlled  her,  stood  between  the 
knight-heads,  just  above  the  image  of  his  pretended  mistress, 
where  he  examined  the  foaming  reefs,  the  whirling  eddies, 
and  the  varying  currents,  with  folded  arms  and  a  riveted  eye. 
A  glance  was  exchanged  between  the  two  officers,  and  the 
free-trader  raised  his  sea-cap.  Ludlow  was  too  courteous  not 
So  return  the  salutation,  then  all  his  senses  were  engrossed  by 
tl-ie  care  of  his  ship.  A  rock  lay  before  them,  over  which  the 
water  bi'oke  in  a  loud  and  unceasing  roar.  For  an  instant  it 
seemed  that  the  vessel  could  not  avoid  the  danger  ;  then  it  was 
already  past. 

"  Brace  up !  "  said  Ludlow,  in  thexalm  tones  that  denote  a 
forced  tranquillity. 

.  .«'Luff!"  called  out  the  Skimmer,  so  quickly  as  to  show 
that  he  took  the  movements  of  the  cruiser  for  his  guide.  The 
ship  came  closer  to  the  wind,  but  the  sudden  bend  in  the 
stream  no  longer  permitted  her  to  steer  in  a  direct  line  with  its 
course.  Though  drifting  to  windward  with  vast  rapidity,  her 
way  through  the  water,  which  was  greatly  increased  by  the 
contrary  actions  of  the  wind  and  tide,  caused  the  cruiser  to 
shoot  across  the  current ;  while  a  reef,  over  which  the  water 
madly  tumbled,  lay  immediately  in  her  course.  The  danger 
seemed  too  imminent  for  the  observances  of  nautical  etiquette, 
and  Trysail  called  aloud  that  the  ship  must  be  thrown  aback, 
or  she  was  lost. 

'•'  Hard-a-lee !  "  shouted  Ludlow,  in  the  strong  voice  of 
authority.  "  Up  with  everything — tacks  and  sheets  ! — main 
top-sail  haul !  " 

The  ship  seemed  as  conscious  of  her  danger  as  any  on  her 
decks.  The  bows  whirled  away  from  the  foaming  reef,  and  as 
the  sails  caught  the  breeze  on  their  opposite  surfaces,  they 
aided  in  bringing  her  head  in  the  contrary  direction.  A  min 
ute  had  scarcely  passed  ere  she  was  aback,  and  in  the  next  she 


298  THE    WATER-WITCH- 

was  about  and  full  again.  The  intensity  of  the  brief  exertion 
kept  Trysail  fully  employed ;  but  no  sooner  had  he  leisure  to 
look  ahead,  than  he  again  called  aloud : 

"  Here  is  another  roarer  under  her  bows. — Luff,  sir,  luff,  or 
we  are  upon  it !  " 

"  Hard  down  your  helm  !  "  once  again  came  in  deep  tones 
from  Ludlow.  "  Let  fly  your  sheets — throw  all  aback,  forward 
and  aft — away  with  the  yards,  with  a  will,  men  !  " 

There  was  need  for  all  of  these  precautions.  Though  the 
ship  had  so  happily  escaped  the  dangers  of  the  first  reef,  a 
turbulent  and  roaring'  caldron  in  the  water,  which,  as  repre 
senting  the  element  in  ebullition,  is  called  "  the  Pot,"  lay  so 
directly  before  her  as  to  render  the  danger  apparently  inevit 
able.  But  the  power  of  the  canvas  was  not  lost  on  this  trying 
occasion.  The  forward  motion  of  the  ship  diminished,  and 
as  the  current  still  swept  her  swiftly  to  windward,  her  bows 
did  not  enter  the  rolling  waters  until  the  hidden  rocks  which 
caused  the  commotion  had  been  passed.  The  yielding  vessel 
rose  and  fell  in  the  agitated  water,  as  if  in  homage  to  the 
whirlpool ;  but  the  deep  keel  was  unharmed. 

"  If  the  ship  shoot  ahead  twice  her  length  more,  her  bows 
will  touch  the  eddy,"  exclaimed  the  vigilant  master. 

Ludlow  looked  around  him,  for  a  single  moment  in  indecis 
ion.  The  waters  were  whirling  and  roaring  on  every  side,  and 
the  sails  began  to  lose  their  power,  as  the  ship  drew  near  the 
bluff  which  forms  the  second  angle  in  this  critical  pass.  He 
saw,  by  objects  on  the  land,  that  he  still  approached  the  shore, 
and  he  had  recourse  to  the  seaman's  last  expedient. 

"  Let  go  both  anchors  !  "  was  the  final  order. 

The  fall  of  the  massive  iron  into  the  water  was  succeeded  by 
the  rumbling  of  the  cable.  The  first  effort  to  check  the  prog^ 
rgss  of  the  vessel  appeared  to  threaten  dissolution  to  the 
who\e  fabric,  which  trembled  under  the  shock  from  its  mast 
heads  to  the  keel.  But  the  enormous  rope  again  yielded,  and 
smoke  #as  seen  rising  round  the  wood  which  held  it.  The 
ship  whirled  with  the  sudden  check,  and  sheered  wildly  in  to 
ward  the  sho££>  Met  by  the  helm,  and  again  checked  by  the 
efforts  of  the  crew>  sne  threatened  to  defy  restraint.  There 
was  an  instant  tf  hen  all  on  board  expected  to  hear  the  cable 
snap ;  but  the  u£per  sails  filled,  and,  as  the  wind  was  now 
brought  over  the  faffm!,  the  force  of  the  current  was  in  a 
great  degree  met  by  that  of  the  breeze. 

The  ship  answered  her  helm  and  became  stationary,  while 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

die  water  foamed  against  her  cut-water,  as  if  she  were  driven 
ahead  with  the  power  of  a  brisk  breeze. 

The  time,  from  the  moment  when  the  Coquette  entered  the 
G^te,  to  that  when  she  anchored -below  "  the  Pot,"  though  the 
distance  was  nearly  a  mile,  seemed  but  a  minute.  Certain, 
however,  that  his  ship  was  now  checked,  the  thoughts  of  Lud- 
low  returned  to  their  other  duties  with  the  quickness  of  light 
ning. 

"  Clear  away  the  grapnels,"  he  eagerly  cried — "stand  by 
to  heave,  and  haul  in  ! — heave  !  " 

But,  that  the  reader  may  better  comprehend  the  motive  of 
this  sudden  order,  he  must  consent  to  return  to  the  entrance  of 
the  dangerous  passage,  and  accompany  the  Water-Witch,  also, 
in  her  hazardous  experiment  to  get  through  without  a  pilot. 

The  abortive  attempt  of  the  brigantine  to  stem  the  tide  at 
the  western  end  of  Blackwell's  will  be  remembered.  It  had 
no  other  effect  than  to  place  her  pursuer  more  in  advance,  and 
to  convince  her  own  commander  that  he  had  now  no  other  re- 
source  than  to  continue  his  course  j  for,  had  he  anchored,  boats 
would  have  insured  his  capture.  When  the  two  vessels  ap 
peared  off  the  eastern  end  of  the  island,  the  Coquette  was 
ahead- -,\  fact  that  the  experienced  free-trader  did  not  at  all 
regret.  He  profited  by  the  circumstance  to  follow  her  move 
ments,  an  1  to  make  a  favorable  entrance  into  the  uncertain 
currents.  To  him,  Hell-Gate  was  known  only  by  its  fearful 
reputation  imong  mariners  ;  and,  unless  he  might  avail  him 
self  of  the  presence  of  the  cruiser,  he  had  no  other  guide  than 
his  own  general  knowledge  of  the  power  of  the  element. 

When  the  Coquette  had  tacked,  the  calm  and  observant 
Skimmer  was  satisfied  with  throwing  his  head-sails  flat  to  the 
mast.  From  that  instant,  the  brigantine  lay  floating  in  the 
current,  neither  advancing  nor  receding  a  foot,  and  always 
keeping  her  position  at  a  safe  distance  from  the  ship,  that  was 
so  adroitly  made  to  answer  the  purposes  of  a  beacon.  The 
sails  were  watched  with  the  closest  care  ;  and  so  nicely  was 
the  delicate  machine  tended,  that  it  would  have  been,  at  any 
moment,  in  her  j>eople's  power  to  have  lessened  her  way,  by 
turning  to  the  stream.  The  Coquette  was  followed  till  she 
anchored,  and  the  call  on  board  the  cruiser  to  heave  the  grap 
nels  had  been  given,  because  the  brigantine  was  apparently 
floating  d;rectly  down  on  her  broadside. 

When  the  grapnels  were  hove  from  the  royal  cruiser,  the 
free-trader  stood  on  the  low  poop  of  his  little  vessel,  within 
fifty  feet  of  him  who  had  issued  the  order.  There*  was  a  smile 


300  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

of  indifference  on  his  firm  mouth,  while  he  silently  waved  » 
hand  to  his  own  crew.  The  signal  was  obeyed  by  bracing 
round  their  yards,  and  suffering  all  the  canvas  to  fill.  The 
brigantine  shot  quickly  ahead,  and  the  useless  irons  fell  heavily 
into  the  water. 

"  Many  thanks  for  your  pilotage,  Captain  Ludlow  !  "  cried 
the  daring  and  successful  mariner  of  the  shawl,  as  his  vessel, 
borne  on  by  wind  and  current,  receded  rapidly  from  the 
cruiser.  "  You  will  find  me  off  Montauk  ;  for  affairs  still  keep 
us  on  the  coast.  Our  lady  has,  however,  put  on  the  blue 
mantle;  and  ere  many  settings  of  the  sun,  we  shall  look  for 
deep  water.  Take  good  care  of  her  majesty's  ship,  I  pray 
thee,  for  she  has  neither  a  more  beautiful  nor  a  faster  !  " 

One  thought  succeeded  another,  with  the  tumult  of  a  tor- 
~ent,  in  the  mind  of  Ludlow.  As  the  brigantine  lay  directly 
under  his  broadside,  the  first  impulse  was  to  use  his  guns  ;  at 
.he  nexi  moment  he  was  conscious  that,  before  they  could  be 
cleared,  distance  would  render  them  useless.  His  lips  had 
nearly  parted  with  intent  to  order  the  cables  cut,  but  he  re 
membered  the  speed  of  the  brigantine,  and  hesitated.  A  sud 
den  freshening  etf  the  breeze  decided  his  course.  Finding 
that  the  ship  was  enabled  to  keep  her  station,  he  ordered  the 
crew  to  thrust  the  whole  of  the  enormous  ropes  through  the 
hawse-holes ;  and,  freed  from  the  restraint,  he  abandoned  the 
anchors,  until  an  opportunity  to  reclaim  them  should  offer. 

The  operation  of  slipping  the  cables  consumed  several  min 
utes  ;  and  when  the  Coquette,  with  every  thing  set,  was  again 
steering  in  pursuit,  the  Water-Witch  was  already  beyond  the 
reach  of  her  guns.  Both  vessels,  however,  held  on  their  way, 
keeping  as  near  as  possible  to  the  centre  of  the  stream,  and 
trusting  more  to  fortune,  than  to  any  knowledge  of  the  chan 
nel,  for  safety. 

When  passing  the  two  small  islands  that  lie  at  no  great  dis 
tance  from  the  Gate,  a  boat  was  seen  moving  toward  the  royal 
cruiser.  A  man  in  it  pointed  to  the  signal,  which  was  still  fly 
ing,  and  offered  his  services. 

"  Tell  me,"  demanded  Ludlow,  eagerly,  "  has  yonder  brig 
antine  taken  a  pilot?  " 

"  By  her  movements,  I  judge  not.  She  brushed  Che  sunken 
rock,  off  the  mouth  of  Flushing  Bay ;  and,  as  she  passed,  I 
heard  the  song  of  the  lead.  I  should  have  gone  on  board  my 
self,  but  the  fellow  rather  flies  than  sails ;  and,  as  for  signals* 
he  seems  to  mind  none  but  his  own  !  " 

*<  Bring  us  up  with  him,  and  fifty  guineas  is  thy  reward  '  " 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  JOI 

The  slow-moving  pilot,  who  in  truth  had  just  awakened 
from  a  refreshing  sleep,  opened  his  eyes,  and  seemed  to  gather 
a  new  impulse  from  the  promise.  When  his  questions  we*e 
asked  and  answered,  he  began  deliberately  to  count  on  his 
fingers  all  the  chances  that  still  existed  of  a  vessel,  whose  crew- 
was  ignorant  of  the  navigation,  falling  into  their  hands, 

"  Admitting  that,  by  keeping  mid-channel,  she  goes  cleai 
of  White  Stone  and  Frogs,"  he  said,  giving  to  Throgmorton's 
its  vulgar  name,  "  he  must  be  a  wizard,  to  know  that  the  Step- 
ping-Stones  lie  directly  across  his  course,  and  that  a  vessel 
-must  steer  away  northerly,  or  bring  up  on  rocks  that  will  as 
surely  hold  him  as  if  he  were  built  there.  Then  he  runs  his 
chance  for  the  Executioners,  which  are  as  prettily  placed  as 
needs  be,  to  make  our  trade  flourish ;  besides  the  Middle 
Ground  farther  east,  though  I  count  but  little  on  that,  having 
often  tried  to  find  it  myself,  without  success.  Courage,  noble 
captain  !  if  the  fellow  be  the  man  you  say,  we  shall  get  a 
nearer  look  at  him  before  the  sun  sets ;  for  certainly  he  who 
has  run  the  Gate  without  a  pilot  in  safety,  has  had  as  much 
good  luck  as  can  fall  to  his  share  in  one  day." 

The  opinion  of  the  East  River  Branch  proved  erroneous. 
Notwithstanding  the  hidden  perils  by  which  she  was  environed, 
the  Water-Witch  continued  her  course,  with  a  speed  that  in 
creased  as  the  wind  rose  with  the  sun,  and  with  an  impunity 
from  harm  that  amazed  all  who  were  in  the  secret  of  her  situa 
tion.  Off  Throgmorton's  there  was,  in  truth,  a  danger  that 
might  even  have  baffled  the  sagacity  of  the  followers  of  the 
mysterious  lady,  had  they  not  been  aided  by  accident.  This 
is  the  point  where  the  straitened  arm  of  the  sea  expands  into 
the  basin  of  the  sound.  A  broad  and  inviting  passage  lies 
directly  before  the  navigator,  while,  like  the  flattering  pros 
pects  of  life,  numberless  hidden  obstacles  are  in  wait  to  arrest 
the  unheeding  and  ignorant. 

The  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  was  deeply  practised  in  all  the 
intricacies  and  dangers  of  shoals  and  rocks.  Most  of  his  life 
had  been  passed  in  threading  the  one  or  in  avoiding  the  other. 
So  keen  and  quick  had  his  eye  become,  in  detecting  the  pres 
ence  of  any  of  those  signs  which  forewarn  the  mariner  of 
danger,  that  a  ripple  on  the  surface,  or  a  deeper  shade  in  the 
color  of  the  water,  rarely  escaped  his  vigilance.  Seated  on 
the  topsail-yard  of  his  brigantine,  he  had  overlooked  the  pas 
sage  from  the  moment  they  were  through  the  Gate,  and  issued 
his  mandates  to  those  below  with  a  precision  and  promptitude 
that  were  not  surpassed  by  the  trained  conductor  of  the  Co« 


302  1HE    WATER  WITCH. 

quette  himself,  j^ut  when  his  sight  embraced  the  wide  reach 
of  water  that  lay  in  front,  as  his  little  vessel  swept  round  the 
headland  of  Throgmorton,  he  believed  there  no  longer  existed 
a  reason  for  so  much  care.  Still  there  was  a  motive  for  hesita 
tion.  A  heavily-moulded  and  dull-sailing  coaster  was  going 
eastward  not  a  league  ahead  of  the  brigantine,  while  one  of 
the  light  sloops  of  those  waters  was  coming  westward  still 
farther  in  the  distance.  Notwithstanding  the  wind  was  favor 
able  to  each  alike,  both  vessels  had  deviated  from  the  direct 
line,  and  were  steering  toward  a  common  centre,  near  an 
island  that  was  placed  more  than  a  mile  to  the  northward  of 
the  straight  course.  A  mariner,  like  him  of  the  India  shawl, 
could  not  overlook  so  obvious  an  intimation  of  a  change  in  the 
channel.  The  Water-Witch  was  kept  away,  and  her  lighter 
sails  were  lowered,  in  order  to  allow  the  royal  cruiser,  whose 
iofty  canvas  was  plainly  visible  .above  the  land,  to  draw  near. 
When  the  Coquette  was  seen  also  to  diverge,  there  no  longer 
remained  a  doubt  of  the  direction  necessary  to  be  taken ;  and 
every  thing  was  quickly  set  upon  the  brigantine,  even  to  her 
studding-sails.  Long  ere  she  reached  the  island,  the  two 
coasters  had  met,  and  each  again  changed  its  course,  reversing 
that  on  which  the  other  had  just  been  sailing.  There  was,  in 
these  movements,  as  plain  an  explanation  as  a  seaman  could 
desire,  that  the  pursued  were  right.  On  reaching  the  island, 
therefore,  they  again  luffed  into  the  wake  of  the  schooner ; 
and,  having  nearly  crossed  the  sheet  of  water,  they  passed  the 
coaster,  receiving  an  assurance,  in  words,  that  all  was  now 
plain  sailing  before  them. 

Such  was  the  famous  passage  of  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  " 
through  the  multiplied  and  hidden  dangers  of  the  easten? 
channel.  To  those  who  have  thus  accompanied  him,  step  by 
step,  through  its  intricacies  and  alarms,  there  may  seem  noth 
ing  extraordinary  in  the  event ;  but,  coupled  as  it  was  with  the 
character  previously  earned  by  that  bold  mariner,  and  occurr 
ing  as  it  did  in  the  age  when  men  were  more  disposed  than  at 
present  to  put  faith  in  the  marvellous,  the  reader  will  not  be 
surprised  to  learn  that  it  greatly  increased  his  reputation  for 
daring,  and  had  no  small  influence  on  an  opinion,  which  wat 
by  no  means  uncommon,  that  the  dealers  in  contraband  were 
singularly  favored  by  a  power  which  greatly  exceeded  that  of 
Queen  Anne  and  all  her  servants. 


WATER-WITCH.  303 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

«•  Thou  shalt  see  me  at  PhilippL* 


SHAKESPEARE. 


THE  commander  of  her  Britannic  majesty's  ship  Coquette 
slept  that  night  in  the  hammock-cloths.  Before  the  sun  set, 
the  light  and  swift  brigantine,  by  following  the  gradual  bend 
of  the  land,  had  disappeared  in  the  eastern  board ;  and  it  was 
no  longer  a  question  of  overtaking  her  by  speed.  Still  sail  was 
crowded  on  the  royal  cruiser ;  and,  long  ere  the  period  when 
Ludlow  threw  himself  in  his  clothes  between  the  ridge-ropes 
of  the  quarter-deck,  the  vessel  had  gained  the  broadest  part  of 
the  sound,  and  was  already  approaching  the  islands  that  form 
the  "Race." 

Throughout  the  whole  of  that  long  and  anxious  day,  the 
young  sailor  had  held  no  communication  with  the  inmates  of 
the  cabin.  The  servants  of  the  ship  had  passed  to  and  fro  ; 
but,  though  the  door  seldom  opened  that  he  did  not  bend  his 
eyes  feverishly  in  its  direction,  neither  the  alderman,  his  niece, 
the  captive,  nor  even  Francois  or  the  negress,  made  their  ap 
pearance  on  the  deck.  If  any  there  felt  an  interest  in  the  re 
sult  of  the  chase,  it  was  concealed  in  a  profound  and  almost 
mysterious  silence.  Determined  not  to  be  outdone  in  indif 
ference,  and  goaded  by  feelings  which  with  all  his  pride  he 
could  not  overcome,  our  young  seaman  took  possession  of  the 
place  of  rest  we  have  mentioned,  without  using  any  measures 
to  resume  the  intercourse. 

When  the  first  watch  of  the  night  was  come,  sail  was  short 
ened  on  the  ship,  and  from  that  moment  till  the  day  dawned 
again,  her  captain  seemed  buried  in  sleep.  With  the  appear 
ance  of  the  sun,  however,  he  arose,  and  commanded  the  can 
vas  to  be  spread  once  more,  and  every  exertion  made  to  drive 
the  vessel  forward  to  her  object. 

The  Coquette  reached  the  Race  early  in  the  day,  and  shoot 
ing  through  the  passage  on  an  ebb-tide,  she  was  off  Montauk 
at  noon.  No  sooner  had  the  ship  drawn  past  the  cape,  and 
reached  a  point  where  she  felt  the  breeze  and  the  waves  of  the 
Atlantic,  than  men  were  set  aloft,  and  twenty  eyes  were  curi 
ously  employed  in  examining  the  offing.  Ludlow  remembered 


,*04  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

the  promise  of  the  Skimmer  to  meet  him  at  that  spot ;  and, 
notwithstanding  the  motives  which  the  latter  might  be  sup 
posed  to  have  for  avoiding  the  interview,  so  great  was  the  influ 
ence  of  the  free-trader's  manner  and  character,  that  the  young 
captain  entertained  a  secret  expectation  the  promise  would  be 
kept. 

"The  offing  is  clear!'*  said  the  young  captain,  in  a  tone 
of  disappointment,  when  he  lowered  his  glass;  "  yet  that  rover 
dees  not  seem  a  man  to  hide  his  head  in  fear " 

"Fear — that  is  to  say,  fear  of  a  Frenchman — and  a  decent 
respect  for  her  majesty's  cruisers,  are  very  different  sort  of 
things,"  returned  the  master.  "  1  never  got  a  bandanna  or  a 
bottle  of  your  Cognac  ashore  in  my  life,  that  I  did  not  think 
every  man  that  I  passed  of  the  street  could  see  the  spots  in  the 
one,  or  scent  the  flavor  of  the  other ;  but  then  I  never  sup 
posed  this  shyness  amounted  to  more  than  a  certain  suspicion 
in  my  own  mind  that  other  people  know  when  a  man  is  running 
on  an  illegal  course.  I  suppose  that  one  of  your  rectors,  who 
is  snugly  anchored  for  life  in  a  good  warm  living  would  call 
this  conscience;  but,  for  my  own  part,  Captain  Ludlow, 
though  no  great  logician  in  matters  of  this  sort,  I  have  always- 
believed  that  it  was  natural  concern  of  mind  lest  the  articles 
should  be  seized.  If  this  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  '  comes  out  to 
give  us  another  chase  in  rough  water,  he  is  by  no  means  as 
good  a  judge  of  the  difference  between  a  large  and  a  small 
vessel  as  I  had  thought  him — and  I  confess,  sir,  I  should  have 
more  hopes  of  taking  him  were  the  woman  under  his  bowsprit 
fairly  burnt." 

"The  offing  is  clear." 

"  That  it  is,  with  a  show  of  the  wind  holding  here  at  south- 
half-south.  This  bit  of  water  that  we  have  passed  between 
yon  island  and  the  main,  is  lined  with  bays ;  and  while  we 
are  here  looking  out  for  them  on  the  high-seas,  the  cunning 
varlets  may  be  trading  in  any  one  of  the  fifty  good  basins  that 
lie  between  the  cape  and  the  place  where  we  lost  him.  For 
aught  we  know,  he  may  have  run  westward  again  in  the  night- 
watches,  and  be  at  this  moment  laughing  in  his  sleeve  at  the 
manner  in  which  he  dodged  the  cruiser." 

"There  is  too  much  truth  in  what  you  say,  Trysail ;  for,  if 
the  Skimmer  be  now  disposed  to  avoid  us,  he  has  certainly  the 
means  in  his  power." 

"Sail,  ho!"  cried  the  lookout  on  the  maintop-gallant 
yard. 

*  Where-away  ?  " 


WATER-WITCH.  30$ 

<f  Broad  on  the  weafher-beam,  sir ;  here  in  a  range  with  the 
light  cloud  that  is  just  Mfting  from  the  water." 

"  Can  you  make  out  the  rig?  " 

"  'Fore  George,  the  fellow  is  right!  "  interrupted  the  mas 
ter.  "The  cloud  caused  her  to  be  unseen,  but  here  she  is, 
sure  enough,  a  full-rigged  ship  under  easy  canvas,  with  her 
her  head  to  the  westward  !  ' 

The  look  of  Ludlow  through  the  glass  was  long,  attentive, 
and  grave. 

"  We  are  weak-handed  to  deal  with  a  stranger,"  he  said, 
when  he  returned  the  instrument  to  Trysail.  '*  You  see  he  has 
nothing  but  his  topsails  set,  a  show  of  canvas  that  would  sat 
isfy  no  trader  in  a  breeze  like  this  !  " 

The  master  was  silent,  but  his  look  was  even  longer  and 
more  critical  than  that  of  his  captain.  When  it  had  ended,  he 
cast  a  cautious  glance  toward  the  diminished  crew,  who  were 
curiously  regarding  the  vessel  that  had  now  become  sufficiently 
distinct  by  a  change  in  the  position  of  the  cloud,  and  then 
•r^swered  in  an  undertone : 

"  'Tis  a  Frenchman,  or  I  am  a  whale  !  One  may  see  it  by 
bis  short  yards,  and  the  hoist  of  his  sails,  ay,  and  'tis  a  cruiser, 
$00,  for  no  man  who  had  a  profit  to  make  on  his  freight  would 
fee  lying  there  under  short  canvas,  and  his  port  within  a  day'i 
run." 

"  Your  opinion  is  my  own;  would  to  Heaven  our  people 
were  all  here  !  This  is  but  a  short  complement  to  take  into 
action  with  a  ship  whose  force  seems  equal  to  <xur  own.  What 
number  can  we  count  ?  " 

"  We  are  short  of  seventy — a  small  muster  for  four-and- 
•nrenty  guns,  with  yards  like  these  to  handle." 

"  And  yet  the  port  may  not  be  insulted  !  We  are  known  to 
te  on  this  coast " 

"  We  are  seen  !  "  interrupted  the  master.  «'  The  fellow 
has  wore  ship,  and  he  is  already  setting  his  fop-gallant 
sails." 

There  no  longer  remained  any  choice  between  downright 
flight  and  preparations  for  combat.  The  former  would  have 
been  easy,  for  an  hour  would  have  taken  the  ship  within  the 
cape ;  but  the  latter  was  far  more  in  consonance  with  the  spirit 
of  the  service  to  which  the  Coquette  belonged.  The  orde* 
was  given,  therefore,  for  •'•'  all  hands  to  clear  ship  for  action  !  '* 
It  was  in  the  reckless  nature  of  sailors  to  exult  in  this  sum 
mons;  for  success  and  audacity  go  hand  in  hand,  and  long 
familiarity  with  the  first  had,  even  at  that  early  day,  given  a 
20 


3<X5  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

confidence  that  often  approached  temerity  to  the  seaman  of 
Great  Britain  and  her  dependencies.  The  mandate  to  prepare 
for  battle  was  received  by  the  feeble  crew  of  the  Coquette  as 
it  had  often  been  received  before  when  her  decks  were  filled 
with  the  number  necessary  to  give  full  efficiency  to  her  arma 
ment ;  though  a  few  of  the  older  and  more  experienced  of  the 
mariners,  men  in  whom  confidence  had  been  diminished  by 
time,  were  seen  to  shake  their  heads  as  if  they  doubted  t IK 
prudence  of  the  intended  contest. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  secret  hesitation  of  Ludlow 
when  the  character  and  force  of  his  enemies  were  clearly 
established,  he  betrayed  no  signs  of  irresolution  from  the 
moment  when  his  decision  appeared  to  be  taken.  The  neces 
sary  orders  were  issued  calmly,  and  with  the  clearness  and 
readiness  that  perhaps  constitute  the  greatest  merit  of  a  naval 
captain.  The  yards  were  slung  in  chains ;  the  booms  were 
sent  down;  the  lofty  sails  were  furled,  and,  in  shortfall  the 
preparations  that  were  then  customary  were  made  with  the 
usual  promptitude  and  skill.  Then  the  drum  beat  to  quarters, 
and,  when  the  people  were  at  their  stations,  their  young  com 
mander  had  a  better  opportunity  of  examining  into  the  true 
efficiency  of  his  ship.  Calling  to  the  master,  he  ascended  the 
poop,  in  order  that  they  might  confer  together  with  less  risk 
of  being  overheard,  and  at  the  same  time  better  observe  the 
manoeuvres  of  the  enemy. 

The  stranger  had,  as  Trysail  perceived,  suddenly  wore  round 
on  his  heel,  and  laid  his  head  to  the  northward.  The  change 
in  the  course  brought  him  before  the  wind,  and,  as  he  imme 
diately  spread  all  the  canvas  that  would  draw,  he  was  approach 
ing  fast.  During  the  time  occupied  in  preparation  on  board 
the  Coquette,  his  hull  had  risen  as  it  were  from  out  of  the 
water;  and  Ludlow  and  his  companion  had  not  studied  his 
appearance  long,  from  the  poop,  before  the  streak  of  white 
paint,  dotted  with  ports,  which  marks  a  vessel-of-war,  became 
visible  to  the  naked  eye.  As  the  cruiser  of  Queen  Anne  con 
tinued  also  to  steer  in  the  direction  of  the  chase,  hah  an  hour 
more  brought  them  sufficiently  near  to  each  other,  to  remove 
all  doubts  of  their  respective  characters  and  force.  The 
stranger  then  came  to  the  wind,  and  made  his  preparations  for 
combat. 

"  The  fellow  shows  a  stout  heart  and  a  warm  battery,"  ob 
served  the  master,  when  the  broadside  of  the  enemy  became 
visible,  by  this  change  in  his  position.  *'  Six-and-twenty 
teeth, -by  my  cotnt !  though  the  eye-teeth  must  be  wanting,  01 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

toe  would  never  be  so  foolhardy  as  to  brave  Queen  Anne's 
Coquette  in  this  impudent  fashion  !  A  prettily-turned  boat, 
Captain  Ludlow,  and  one  nimble  enough  in  her  movements. 
But  look  at  his  top-sails.  Just  like  his  character,  sir,  all  hoist; 
and  with  little  or  no  head  to  them.  I'll  not  deny  but  the  huh 
is  well  enough,  for  that  is  no  more  than  carpenter's  work ;  but 
when  it  comes  to  the  rig,  or  trim,  or  cut  of  a  sail,  how  should 
a  1'Orient  or  a  Brest  man  understand  what  is  comely?  There 
is  no  equalling,  after  all,  a  good,  wholesome,  honest  English 
topsail ;  which  is  neither  too  narrow  in  the  head,  nor  too  deep 
in  the  hoist ;  with  a  bolt-rope  of  exactly  the  true  size,  robands 
and  earings  and  bowlines  that  look  as  tf  they  grew  there,  and 
sheets  that  neither  nature  nor  art  could  alter  to  advantage. 
Here  are  these  Americans,  now,  making  innovations  in  ship 
building,  and  in  the  sparring  of  vessels,  as  if  any  thing  could 
be  gained  by  quitting  the  customs  and  opinions  of  their  an 
cestors  !  Any  man  may  see  that  all  they  have  about  them, 
that  is  good  for  any  thing,  is  English  ;  while  all  their  nonsense 
and  new-fangled  changes  come  from  their  own  vanity." 

"They  get  along,  Master  Trysail,  notwithstanding,"  re 
turned  the  captain,  who,  though  a  sufficiently  loyal  subject 
could  not  forget  his  birthplace;  "and  many  is  the  time  this 
ship,  one  of  the  finest  models  of  Plymouth,  has  been  bothered 
to  overhaul  the  coasters  of  these  seas.  Here  is  the  brigantine, 
that  has  laughed  at  us  on  our  best  tack,  and  with  our  choice  of 
wind." 

"  One  cannot  say  where  that  brigantine  was  built,  Captain 
Ludlow.  It  may  be  here,  it  may  be  there — for  I  look  upon 
her  as  a  nondescript,  as  old  Admiral  Top  used  to  call  the  gal 
liots  of  the  north  seas — but,  concerning  these  new  American 
fashions,  of  what  use  are  they,  I  would  ask,  Captain  Ludlow? 
In  the  first  place,  they  are  neither  English  nor  French,  which 
is  as  much  as  to  confess  they  are  altogether  outlandish  :  in  the 
second  place,  they  disturb  the  harmony  and  established  usages 
among  wrights  and  sail-makers,  and,  though  they  may  get 
along  well  enough  now,  sooner  or  later,  take  my  word  for  it, 
they  will  come  to  harm.  It  is  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  a 
new  people  can  discover  any  thing  in  the  construction  of  a 
ship,  that  has  escaped  the  wisdom  of  seamen  as  old.  The 
Frenchman  is  clewing  up  his  top-gallant-sails,  and  means  to 
let  them  hang  ;  which  is  much  the  same  as  condemning  them 
at  once — and,  therefore,  I  am  of  opinion  that  all  these  new 
fashions  will  come  to  no  good." 

*'  Your  reasoning  is  absolutely  conclusive,  Master  Trysail,*" 


306  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

returned  the  captain,  whose  thoughts  were  differently  em« 
ployed.  "  I  agree  with  you,  it  would  be  safer  for  the  strangei 
to  send  down  his  yards." 

"  There  is  something  manly  and  becoming  in  seeing  a  ship 
strip  herself,  as  she  comes  into  action,  sir  !  It  is  like  a  boxer 
taking  off  his  jacket,  with  the  intention  of  making  a  fair 
stand-up  fight  for  it. — That  fellow  is  filling  away  again,  and 
means  to  manoeuvre  before  he  comes  up  fairly  to  his  work." 

The  eye  of  Ludlow  had  never  quitted  the  stranger.  He 
saw  that  the  moment  for  serious  action  was  not  distant;  and, 
bidding  Trysail  keep  the  vessel  on  her  course,  he  descended  to 
the  quarter-deck.  For  a  single  instant,  the  young  commandex 
paused,  with  his  *iand  on  the  door  of  the  cabin  ;  then,  over 
coming  his  relu<;*s.nce,  he  entered  the  apartment. 

The  Coquette  was  built  after  a  fashion  much  in  vogue  a 
century  since,  ^.nd  which,  by  a  fickleness  that  influences  marine 
architecture  ^s  well  as  less  important  things,  is  again  coming 
into  use  for  -essels  of  her  force.  The  accommodations  of  the 
commander  were  on  the  same  deck  with  the  batteries  of  the 
ship,  and  they  were  frequently  made  to  contain  two  or  even 
four  guns  of  the  armament.  When  Ludlow  entered  his  cabin, 
therefore,  he  found  a  crew  stationed  around  the  gun'which  was 
placed  on  the  side  next  the  enemy,  and  all  the  customary 
arrangements  made  which  precede  a  combat.  The  state 
rooms  abaft,  however,  as  well  as  the  little  apartment  which  lay 
between  them,  were  closed.  Glancing  his  eye  about  him,  and 
-observing  the  carpenters  in  readiness,  he  made  a  signal  for 
them  to  knock  away  the  bulkheads,  and  lay  the  whole  of  the 
fighting  part  of  the  ship  in  common.  While  this  duty  was 
.going  on,  he  entered  the  after-cabin. 

Alderman  Van  Beverout  and  his  companions  were  found 
together,  and  evidently  in  expectation  of  the  visit  they  now 
received.  Passing  coolly  by  the  former,  Ludlow  approached 
his  niece,  and,  taking  her  hand,  he  led  her  to  the  quarter 
deck,  making  a  sign  for  her  female  attendant  to  follow.  De 
scending  into  the  depths  of  the  ship,  the  captain  conducted 
his  charge  into  a  part  of  the  berth-deck  that  was  below  the 
water-line,  and  as  much  removed  from  danger  as  she  could 
well  be,  without  encountering  a  foul  air,  or  sights  that  might 
be  painful  to  one  of  her  sex  and  habits. 

"  Here  is  as  much  safety  as  a  vessel-of-war  affords  in  a  mo 
ment  like  this,"  he  said,  when  his  companion  was  silently 
seated  on  a  mess-chest.  ' '  On  no  account  quit  the  spot,  till  1 
— 01  some  other — advise  you  it  may  be  done  without  hazard." 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  309 

Alida  had  submitted  to  be  led  thither  without  a  question. 
Though  her  color  went  and  came,  she  saw  the  little  disposi 
tions  that  were  made  for  her  comfort,  and  without  which,  even 
at  that  moment,  the  young  sailor  could  not  quit  her  in  the 
same  silence.  But  when  they  were  ended,  and  her  conductor 
was  about  to  retire,  his  name  escaped  her  lips  by  an  exclama 
tion  that  seemed  hurried  and  involuntary. 

"  Can  I  do  aught  else  to  quiet  your  apprehensions?  "  the 
young  man  inquired,  though  he  studiously  avoided  her  eye,  as 
he  turned  to  put  the  question.  "  I  know  your  strength  of 
mind,  and  that  you  have  a  resolution  which  exceeds  the  cour 
age  of  your  sex ;  else  I  would  not  venture  so  freely  to  point 
out  the  danger  which  may  beset  one,  even  here,  without  a  self- 
command  and  discretion  that  shall  restrain  all  sudden  impulses 
of  fear." 

"  Notwithstanding  your  generous  interpretation  of  my  char 
acter,  Ludlow,  I  am  but  a  woman  after  all." 

'•'  I  did  not  mistake  you  for  an  amazon,"  returned  the  young 
man,  smiling,  perceiving  that  she  checked  her  words  by  a 
sudden  effort.  "All  I  expect  from  you  is  the  triumph  of 
reason  over  female  terror.  I  shall  not  conceal  that  the  odds — 
perhaps  I  may  say  that  the  chances  are  against  us ;  yet  the 
enemy  must  pay  for  my  ship  ere  he  has  her  !  She  will  be 
none  the  worse  defended,  Alida,  from  the  consciousness  that 
thy  liberty  and  comfort  depend  in  some  measure  on  our  ex 
ertions. — Would  you  say  more  ?  " 

La  belle  Barber ie  struggled  with  herself,  and  she  became 
calm,  at  least  in  exterior. 

"There  has  been  a  singular  misconception  between  us,  but 
this  is  no  moment  for  exclamation  !  Ludlow,  I  would  not 
have  you  part  with  me,  at  such  a  time  as  this,  with  that  cold 
and  reproachful  eye  !  " 

She  paused.  When  the  young  man  ventured  to  raise  his4 
look,  he  saw  the  beautiful  girl  standing  with  a  hand  extended 
toward  him,  as  if  offering  a  pledge  of  amity  ;  while  the  crim 
son  on  her  cheek,  and  her  yielding  but  half-averted  eye,  spoke 
with  the  eloquence  of  maiden  modesty.  Seizing  the  hand,  he 
answered,  hastily  : 

"  Time  was  when  this  action  would  have  made  me  happy — " 

The  young  man  paused,  for  his  gaze  had  unconsciously  be 
come  riveted  on  the  rings  of  the  hand  he  held.  Alida  under- 
Stood  the  look,  and,  drawing  one  of  the  jewels,  she  offered  it 
with  a  smile  that  was  as  attractive  as  her  beauty. 

44  One  of  these  may  be  spared,"  she  said.     "  Take  it, 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 

low  ;  and  when  thy  present  duty  shall  be  performed,  return  k, 
as  a  gage  that  I  have  promised  that  no  explanation  which  you 
may  have  a  right  to  ask  shall  be  withheld." 

The  young  man  took  the  ring  and  forced  it  on  the  smallest 
of  his  fingers,  in  a  mechanical  manner,  and  with  a  bewildered 
look  that  seemed  to  inquire  if  some  one  of  those  which  re 
mained  was  not  the  token  of  a  plighted  faith.  It  is  probable 
that  he  might  have  continued  the  discourse,  had  not  a  gun 
been  fired  from  the  enemy.  It  recalled  him  to  the  more 
serious  business  of  the  hour.  Already  more  than  half  disposed 
to  believe  all  he  could  wish,  he  raised  the  fair  hand,  which  had 
just  bestowed  the  boon,  to  his  lips,  and  rushed  upon  deck. 

*'  The  monsieur  is  beginning  to  bluster,"  said  Trysail,  who 
had  witnessed  the  descent  of  his  commander,  at  that  mo 
ment  and  on  such  an  errand,  with  great  dissatisfaction.  "  Al 
though  his  shot  fell  short,  it  is  too  much  to  let  a  Frenchman 
have  the  credit  of  the  first  word." 

"He  has  merely  given  the  weather-gun  the  signal  of  de 
fiance.  Let  him  come  down,  and  he  will  not  find  us  in  a 
hurry  to  leave  him  !  " 

"  No,  no;  as  for  that,  we  are  snug  enough  !  "  returned  the 
master,  chuckling  as  he  surveyed  the  half-naked  spars,  and 
the  light  top-hamper,  to  which  he  had  himself  reduced  the 
ship.  "  If  running  is  to  be  our  play,  we  have  made  a  false 
move  at  the  beginning  of  the  game.  These  top-sails,  spanker, 
and  jib,  make  a  show  that  says  more  for  bottom  than  for  speed. 
Well,  come  what  will  of  this  affair,  it  will  leave  me  a  master, 
though  it  is  beyond  the  power  of  the  best  duke  in  England  to 
rob  me  of  my  share  of  the  honor  !  " 

With  this  consolation  for  his  perfectly  hopeless  condition 
as  respects  promotion,  the  old  seaman  walked  forward,  examin 
ing  critically  into  the  state  of  the  vessel ;  while  his  young  com 
mander,  having  caste  look  about  him,  motioned  to  his  prisoner 
and  the  alderman  to  follow  to  the  poop. 

*'  I  do  not  pretend  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  the  tie 
which  unites  you  with  some  in  this  ship,"  Ludlow  commenced, 
addressing  his  words  to  Seadrift,  though  he  kept  his  gaze  on 
the  recent  gift  of  Alida,  "  but,  that  it  must  be  strong,  is  evi 
dent  by  the  interest  they  have  taken  in  your  fate.  One  who 
is  thus  esteemed  should  set  a  value  on  himself.  How  far  you 
have  trifled  with  the  laws,  I  do  not  wish  to  say ;  but  here  is 
an  opportunity  to  redeem  some  of  the  public  favor.  You 
are  a  seaman,  and  need  not  be  told  that  my  ship  is  not  as 
strongly  manned  as  one  could  wish  her  at  this  moment,  and 


THE    WATER-WITCH  3H 

that  the  services  of  every  Englishman  will  be  welcome.  Tak? 
charge  of  these  six  guns,  and  depend  on  my  honor  that  your 
devotion  to  the  flag  shall  not  go  unrequited." 

"You  much  mistake  my  vocation,  noble  captain,"  returned 
the  dealer  in  contraband,  faintly  laughing.  "  Though  one  of 
the  seas,  I  am  one  more  used  to  the  calm  latitudes  than  to 
these  whirlwinds  of  war.  You  have  visited  the  brigantine  of 
our  mistress,  and  must  have  seen  that  her  temple  resembles 
that  of  Janus  more  then  that  of  Mars.  The  deck  of  the  Water- 
Witch  has  none  of  this  frowning  garniture  of  artillery." 

Ludlow  listened  in  amazement.  Surprise,  incredulity,  and 
scorn,  were  each  in  turn  expressed  in  his  frowning  counte 
nance. 

"This  is  unbecoming  language  for  one  of  your  calling,'* 
he  said,  scarce  deeming  it  necessary  to  conceal  the  contempt 
he  felt.  ' '  Do  you  acknowledge  fealty  to  this  ensign — are  you 
an  Englishman?" 

' '  I  am  such  as  Heaven  was  pleased  to  make  me — fitter  for 
fhe  zephyr  than  the  gale — the  jest  than  the  war-shout — the 
merry  moment  than  the  angry  mood." 

"  Is  this  the  man  whose  name  for  daring  has  passed  into  a 
proverb — the  dauntless,  reckless,  skilful  *  Skimmer  of  the 
Seas?'  " 

1 '  North  is  not  more  removed  from  south  than  I  from  him  in 
the  qualities  you  seek  !  It  was  not  my  duty  to  undeceive  you 
as  to  the  value  of  your  captive,  while  he  whose  services  are  be 
yond  price  to  our  mistress  was  still  on  the  coast.  So  far  from 
being  him  you  name,  brave  captain,  I  claim  to  be  no  more 
than  one  of  his  agents,  who,  having  some  experience  in  the 
caprices  of  woman,  he  trusts  to  recommend  his  wares  to  female 
fancies.  Though  so  useless  in  inflicting  injuries,  I  may  make 
bold,  however,  to  rate  myself  as  excellent  at  consolation.  Suf 
fer  that  I  appease  the  fears  of  la  belle  Barberieduring  the  com 
ing  tumult,  and  you  shall  own  that  one  more  skilful  in  that 
merciful  office  is  rare  indeed  !  " 

"  Comfort  whom,  where,  and  what  thou  wilt,  miserable 
effigy  of  manhood — but  hold,  there  is  less  of  terror  than  of 
artifice  in  that  lurking  smile  and  treacherous  eye  !  " 

"Discredit  both,  generous  captain  !  On  the  faith  of  one 
who  can  be  sincere  at  need,  a  wholesome  fear  is  uppermost, 
whatever  else  the  disobedient  members  may  betray.  1  could 
fain  weep  rather  than  be  thought  valiant  just  now  !  " 

Ludlow  listened  in  wonder.  He  had  raised  an  arm  to  ar 
rest  the  retreat  of  the  young  mariner,  and  by  a  natural  move 


312  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

ment  his  hand  slid  along  the  limb  it  had  grasped,  until  it  held 
that  of  Seadrift.  The  instant  he  touched  the  soft  and  ungloved 
palm,  an  idea,  as  novel  as  it  was  sudden,  crossed  his  brain. 
Retreating  a  step  or  two,  he  examined  the  light  and  agile  form 
of  the  other,  from  head  to  feet.  The  frown  of  displeasure, 
which  had  clouded  his  brow,  changed  to  a  look  of  unfeigned 
surprise ;  and,  for  the  first  time,  the  tones  of  the  voice  came 
over  his  recollection  as  being  softer  and  more  melodious  than 
is  wont  in  man. 

"  Truly,  thou  art  not  the  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  !  * "  he  ex 
claimed,  when  his  short  examination  was  ended. 

"  No  truth  more  certain.  I  am  one  of  little  account  in  this 
rude  encounter,  though,  were  that  gallant  seaman  here,"  and 
the  color  deepened  on  the  cheeks  of  Seadrift  as  he  spoke,  *'  his 
arm  and  counsel  might  prove  a  host  !  Oh  !  I  have  seen  him 
in  scenes  far  more  trying  than  this,  when  the  elements  hav« 
conspired  with  other  dangers.  The  example  of  his  steadi 
ness  and  spirit  has  given  courage  even  to  the  feeblest  heart  in 
the  brigantine  !  Now  suffer  me  to  offer  consolation  to  the 
timid  Alida." 

"  I  should  little  merit  her  gratitude,  were  the  request  refused," 
returned  Ludlow.  "Go,  gay  and  gallant  Master  Seadrift !  if 
the  enemy  fears  thy  presence  on  the  deck  as  little  as  I  dread  it 
with  la  belle  Barberie,  thy  services  here  will  be  useless !  " 

Seadrift  colored  to  the  temples,  crossed  his  arms  meekly  on 
his  bosom,  sank  in  an  attitude  of  leave-taking,  that  was  so 
equivocal  as  to  cause  the  attentive  and  critical  young  captain  to 
smile,  and  then  glided  past  him  and  disappeared  through  a 
hatchway. 

The  eye  of  Ludlow  followed  the  active  and  graceful  form, 
while  it  continued  in  sight ;  and,  when  it  was  no  longer  visi 
ble,  he  faced  the  alderman  with  a  look  which  seemed  to  in 
quire  how  far  he  might  be  acquainted  with  the  true  character 
of  the  individual  who  had  been  the  cause  of  so  much  pain  to 
himself. 

"Have  I  done  well,  sir,  in  permitting  a  subject  of  Queen 
Anne  to  quit  us  at  this  emergency  ?  "  he  demanded,  observing 
that  either  the  phlegm  or  self-command  of  Myndert  rendered 
him  proof  to  scrutiny. 

"  The  lad  may  be  termed  contraband  of  war,"  returned  the 
alderman,  without  moving  a  muscle;  "an  article  that  will 
command  a  better  price  in  a  quiet  than  in  a  turbulent  market. 
In  short,  Captain  Cornelius  Ludlow,  this  Master  Seadrift  wil? 
not  answer  thy  purpose  at  all  in  combat." 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  31  j 

115  And  is  this  example  of  heroism  to  go  any  further,  or  may 
f  ecu  tit  on  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Alderman  Van  Beverout  ? — He 
has  the  reputation  of  a  loyal  citizen." 

"  As  for  loyalty,"  returned  the  alderman,  "  so  far  as  saying 
6  God  bless  the  queen,'  at  city  feasts  will  go,  none  are  more 
so.  A  wish  is  not  an  expensive  return  for  the  protection  of  her 
fleets  and  armies,  and  I  wish  her  and  you  success  against  the 
enemy,  with  all  my  heart.  But  I  never  admired  the  manner 
in  which  the  States-General  were  dispossessed  of  their  terri 
tories  on  this  continent,  Master  Ludlow,  and  therefore  I  pay 
*he  Stuarts  little  more  than  I  owe  them  in  law." 

"Which  is  as  much  as  to  say,  that  you  will  join  the  gay 
smuggler,  in  administering  consolation  to  one  whose  spirit 
places  her  above  the  need  of  such  succor." 

"Not  so  fast,  young  gentleman.  We  mercantile  men  like 
to  see  offsets  in  our  books,  before  they  are  balanced.  What 
ever  may  be  my  opinion  of  the  reigning  family,  which  I  only 
utter  to  you  in  confidence,  and  not  as  coin  that  is  to  pass 
from  hand  to  hand,  my  love  for  the  Grand  Monarque  is  still 
'.ess.  Louis  is  at  loggerheads  with  the  United  Provinces,  as 
well  as  with  our  gracious  queen ;  and  I  see  no  harm  in  op 
posing  one  of  his  cruisers,  since  they  certainly  annoy  trade, 
and  render  returns  for  investments  inconveniently  uncertain. 
I  have  heard  artillery  is  my  time,  having  in  my  younger 
days  led  a  band  of  city  volunteers  in  many  a  march  and 
countermarch  around  the  Bowling  Green  ;  and  for  the  honor 
of  the  second  ward  of  the  good  town  of  Manhattan,  I  am  now 
*eady  to  undertake  to  show  that  all  knowledge  of  the  art  has 
Aot  entirely  departed . from  me." 

"  That  is  a  manly  answer,  and,  provided  it  be  sustained  by 
a.  corresponding  countenance,  there  shall  be  no  impertinent 
inquiry  into  motives.  'Tis  the  officer  that  makes  the  ship 
victorious;  for,  when  he  sets  a  good  example  and  understands 
his  duty,  there  is  little  fear  of  the  men.  Choose  your  position 
among  any  of  these  guns,  and  we  will  make  an  effort  to  dis 
appoint  yon  servants  of  Louis,  whether  we  do  it  as  English 
men,  or  only  as  the  allies  of  the  Seven  Provinces." 

Myndert  descended  to  the  quarter-deck,  and  having  deliber 
ately  deposited  his  coat  on  the  capstan,  replaced  his  wig  by  a 
handkerchief,  and  tightened  the  buckle,  that  did  the  office  of 
suspenders,  he  squinted  along  the  guns,  with  a  certain  air  that 
served  to  assure  the  spectators  he  had  at  least  no  dread  of  the 
recoil. 

Alderman   Van  Beverout  was  a  personage  far  too  important 


THE    WATER-WITCH, 

not  to  be  known  by  most  of  those  who  frequented  the  goodly 
town  of  which  he  was  a  civic  officer.  His  presence,  therefore, 
among  the  men,  not  a  few  of  whom  were  natives  of  the 
colony,  had  a  salutary  effect :  some  yielding  to  the  sympathy 
which  is  natural  to  a  hearty  and  encouraging  example,  while 
•it  is  possible  there  were  a  few  that  argued  less  of  the  danger, 
in  consequence  of  the  indifference  of  a  man  who,  being  so 
rich,  had  so  many  motives  to  take  good  care  of  his  person. 
Be  this  as  it  might,  the  burgher  was  received  by  a  cheer  which 
drew  a  short  but  pithy  address  from  him,  in  which  he  ex 
horted  his  companions  in  arms  to  do  their  duty,  in  a  manner 
which  should  teach  the  Frenchmen  the  wisdom  of  leaving  that 
coast  in  future  free  from  annoyance ;  while  he  wisely  abstained 
from  all  the  commonplace  allusions  to  king  and  country — a 
subject  to  which  he  felt  his  inability  to  do  proper  justice. 

"  Let  every  man  remember  that  cause  for  courage,  which 
may  be  most  agreeable  to  his  own  habits  and  opinions,"  con 
cluded  this  imitator  of  the  Hannibals  and  Scipios  of  old  ; 
"  for  that  is  the  surest  and  the  briefest  method  of  bringing 
his  mind  into  an  obstinate  state.  In  my  own  case,  there  is  no 
want  of  motive ;  and  I  dare  say  each  one  of  you  may  find 
some  sufficient  reason  for  entering  heart  and  hand  into  this 
battle.  Protests  and  credit !  what  would  become  of  the 
affairs  of  the  best  house  in  the  colonies,  were  its  principal  to 
be  led  a  captive  to  Brest  or  POrienf?  It  might  derange  the 
business  of  the  whole  city.  I'll  not  offend  your  patriotism 
with  such  a  supposition,  but  at  once  believe  that  your  minds 
are  resolved,  like  my  own,  to  resist  to  the  last ;  for  this  is  an 
interest  which  is  general,  as  all  questions  of  a  commercial 
nature  become,  through  their  influence  on  the  happiness  and 
prosperity  of  society." 

Having  terminated  his  address  in  so  apposite  and  public- 
spirited  a  manner,  the  worthy  burgher  hemmed  loudly,  and 
resumed  his  accustomed  silence,  perfectly  assured  of  his  own 
applause.  If  the  matter  of  Myndert's  discourse  wears  too 
much  the  air  of  an  undivided  attention  to  his  own  interests, 
the  reader  will  not  forget  it  is  by  this  concentration  of  indi 
viduality  that  most  of  the  mercantile  prosperity  of  the  world 
is  achieved.  The  seamen  listened  with  admiration,  for  they 
understood  no  part  of  the  appeal,  and,  next  to  a  statement 
which  shall  be  so  lucid  as  to  induce  every  hearer  to  believe  it 
is  no  more  than  a  happy  explanation  of  his  own  ideas,  that 
which  is  unintelligible  is  apt  to  unite  most  suffrages  in  its 
favor. 


THE    WATER-WITCH  31$ 

'•  You  see  your  enemy,  and  you  know  your  work  !  "  said 
Ihe  clear  voice  of  Ludlow,  who,  as  he  passed  among  the 
people  of  the  Coquette,  spoke  to  them  in  that  steady,  unwav 
ering  tone  which,  in  moments  of  danger,  goes  to  the  heart, 
"I  shall  not  pretend  that  we  are  as  strong  as  I  could  wish  , 
but  the  greater  the  necessity  for  a  strong  pull,  the  readier  a 
true  seaman  will  be  to  give  it.  There  are  no  nails  in  that 
ensign.  When  I  am  dead,  you  may  pull  it  down  if  you 
please;  but  so  long  as  I  live,  my  men,  there  it  shall  fly  !  And 
now,  one  cheer  to  show  your  humor,  and  let  the  rest  of  your 
noise  come  from  the  guns." 

The  crew  complied,  with  a  full-mouthed  and  hearty  hurrah  ! 
—Trysail  assured  a  young,  laughing,  careless  midshipman, 
who  even  at  that  moment  could  enjoy  an  uproar,  that  he  had 
seldom  heard  a  prettier  piece  of  sea-eloquence  than  that 
which  had  just  fallen  from  the  captain;  it  being  both  "neat 
and  gentleman-like." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

"  Sir,  it  is 

A  charge  too  heavy  for  my  strength  ;  but  yet 
We'll  strive  to  bear  it  for  your  worthy  sake, 
To  the  extreme  edge  of  hazard." 

ALL'S  WELL  THAT   ENDS  WELL. 

THE  vessel,  which  appeared  so  inopportunely  for  the  safety  of 
the  ill-manned  British  cruiser,  was,  in  truth,  a  ship  that  had 
roved  from  among  the  islands  of  the  Caribbean  Sea,  in  quest 
of  some  such  adventure  as  that  which  now  presented  itself. 
She  was  called  La  Belle  Fontange,  and  her  commander,  a 
youth  of  two-and-twenty,  was  already  well  known  in  the 
salons  of  the  Marias,  and  behind  the  walls  of  the  Rue  Basses 
des  Remparts,  as  one  of  the  most  gay  and  amiable  of  those 
who  frequented  the  former,  and  one  of  the  most  spirited  and 
skilful  among  the  adventurers  who  sometimes  trusted  to  their 
address  in  the  latter.  Rank,  and  influence  at  Versailles,  had 
procured  for  the  young  Chevalier  Dumont  de  la  Rocheforte  a 
command  to  which  he  could  lay  no  claim  either  by  his  experi 
ence  or  his  services.  His  mother,  a  near  relative  of  one  of 
the  beauties  of  the  court,  had  been  commanded  to  use  sea 
bathing,  as  a  preventive  against  the  consequences  of  the  bite 


316  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

of  a  rapid  lap-dog.  By  way  of  a  suitable  episode  to  the  long 
descriptions  she  was  in  the  daily  habit  of  writing  to  those 
whose  knowledge  of  her  new  element  was  limited  to  the  con 
stant  view  of  a  few  ponds  and  ditches  teeming  with  carp,  or 
an  occasional  glimpse  of  some  of  the  turbid  reaches  of  the 
Seine,  she  had  vowed  to  devote  her  youngest  child  to  Nep 
tune.  In  due  time,  that  is  to  say,  while  the  poetic  sentiment 
was  at  the  access,  the  young  chevalier  was  duly  enrolled,  and, 
in  a  time  that  greatly  anticipated  all  regular  and  judicious 
preferment,  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  corvette  in 
question  and  sent  to  the  Indies  to  gain  glory  for  himself  and 
his  country. 

The  Chevalier  Dumont  de  la  Rocheforte  was  brave,  but  his 
courage  was  not  the  calm  and  silent  self-possession  of  a  sea 
man*  Like  himself,  it  was  lively,  buoyant,  thoughtless,  bus 
tling,  and  full  of  animal  feeling.  He  had  all  the  pride  of  a 
gentleman,  and  unfortunately  for  the  duty  which  he  had  now 
for  the  first  time  to  perform,  one  of  its  dictates  taught  him  to 
despise  that  species  of  mechanical  knowledge  which  it  was, 
just  at  this  moment,  so  important  to  the  commander  of  La 
Fontange  to  possess.  He  could  dance  to  admiration,  did  the 
honors  of  his  cabin  with  faultless  elegance,  and  had  caused 
the  death  of  an  excellent  mariner,  who  had  accidentally  fallen 
overboard,  by  jumping  into  the  sea  to  aid  him,  without  know 
ing  how  to  swim  a  stroke  himself — a  rashness  that  had 
diverted  those  exertions  which  might  have  saved  the  unfortu 
nate  sailor,  from  the  assistance  of  the  subordinate  to  the  safety 
01"  his  superior.  He  wrote  sonnets  prettily,  and  had  some 
ideas  of  the  new  philosophy  which  was  just  beginning  to  dawn 
upon  the  world  ;  but  the  cordage  of  his  ship,  and  the  lines  of 
a  mathematical  problem,  equally  presented  labyrinths  he  had 
never  threaded. 

It  was  perhaps  fortunate  for  the  safety  of  all  in  her,  that  La 
Belle  Fontange  possessed  an  inferior  officer,  in  the  person  of  a 
native  of  Boulogne-sur-Mer,  who  was  quite  competent  to  see 
that  she  kept  the  proper  course,  and  that  she  displayed  none 
of  the  top-gallants  of  her  pride  at  unpropitious  moments. 
The  ship  itself  was  sufficiently  and  finely  moulded,  of  a  light 
and  airy  rig,  and  of  established  reputation  for  speed.  If  it 
was  defective  in  any  thing,  it  had  the  fault,  in  common  with 
its  commander,  of  a  want  of  sufficient  solidity  to  resist  the 
\icissitudes  and  dangers  of  the  turbulent  element  on  which  it 
was  destined  to  act. 

The  vessels  were  now  within  a  mile  of  each  other.     The 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  317 

breeze  was  steady,  and  sufficiently  fresh  for  all  the  ordinary 
evolutions  of  a  naval  combat ;  while  the  water  was  just  quiet 
enough  to  permit  the  ships  to  be  handled  with  confidence  and 
accuracy.  La  Fontange  was  running  with  her  head  to  the 
eastward,  and,  as  she  had  the  advantage  of  the  wind,  her  tall 
tracery  of  spars  leaned  gently  in  the  direction  of  her  adver 
sary.  The  Coquette  was  standing  on  the  other  tack  and  neces 
sarily  inclined  from  her  enemy.  Both  vessels  were  stripped  to 
their  topsails,  spankers,  and  jibs,  though  the  lofty  sails  of  the 
Frenchman  were  fluttering  in  tfye  breeze,  like  the  graceful 
folds  of  some  fanciful  drapery.  No  human  being  was  dis 
tinctly  visible  in  either  fabric,  though  dark  clusters  around 
•each  mast-head  showed  that  the  ready  topmen  were  prepared 
to  discharge  their  duties,  even  in  the  confusion  and  dangers 
of  che  impending  contest.  Once  or  twice,  La  Fontange  in- 
climed  her  head  more  in  the  direction  of  her  adversary ;  then, 
sweeping  up  again  to  the  wind,  she  stood  on  in  stately  beauty. 
The  moment  was  near  when  the  ships  were  about  to  cross  each 
other,  at  a  point  where  a  musket  would  readily  send  its  mes 
senger  across  the  water  that  lay  between  them.  Ludlow,  who 
closely  watched  each  change  of  position,  and  every  rise  and 
fall  of  the  breeze,  went  on  the  poop,  and  swept  the  horizon 
with  his  glass,  for  the  last  time  before  his  ship  should  be  en 
veloped  in  smoke.  To  his  surprise,  he  discovered  a  pyramid 
of  canvas  rising  above  the  sea,  in  the  direction  of  the  wind. 
The  sail  was  clearly  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  and  had  only 
escaped  earlier  observation  in  the  duties  of  so  urgent  a  mo 
ment.  Calling  the  master  to  his  side,  he  inquired  his  opinion 
'Concerning  the  character  of  the  second  stranger.  But  Trysail 
confessed  it  exceeded  even  his  long-tried  powers  of  observa 
tion,  to  say  more  than  that  it  was  a  ship  running  before  the 
wind,  with  a  cloud  of  sail  spread.  After  a  second  and  a 
longer  look,  however,  the  experienced  master  ventured  to  add 
that  the  stranger  had  the  squareness  and  symmetry  of  a  cruiser, 
but  of  what  size  he  would  not  yet  presume  to  declare. 

"It  may  be  a  light  ship,  under  her  top-gallant  and  stiid- 
;  ding  sails,  or  it  may  be  that  we  see  only  the  lofty  duck  of 
some  heavier  vessel,  Captain  Ludlow — ha  !  he  has  caught  the 
eye  of  the  Frenchman,  for  the  corvette  has  signals  abroad  !  " 

"  To  your  glass ! — -If  the  stranger  answer,  we  have  no 
choice  but  our  speed." 

There  was  another  keen  and  anxious  examination  of  the 
upper  spars  of  the  distant  ship,  but  the  direction  of  the  wind 
prevented  any  signs  of  her  communicating  with  the  corvette 


318  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

from  being  visible.  La  Fontagne  appeared  equally  uncerti  i 
of  the  character  of  the  stranger,  and  for  a  moment  there  w  <s 
some  evidence  of  an  intention  to  change  her  course.  But  the 
moment  for  indecision  had  passed.  The  ships  were  already 
sweeping  up  abreast  of  each  other,  under  the  constant  pressure 
of  the  breeze. 

"Be  ready,  men  !  "  said  Ludlow,  in  a  low  but  firm  voUe, 
retaining  his  elevated  post  on  the  poop,  while  he  motione  1  to 
his  companion  to  return  to  the  main  deck.  "  Fire  av  his 
flash  !  " 

Intense  expectation  succeeded.  The  two  graceful  fables 
sailed  steadily  on,  and  came  within  hail.  So  profound  wa* 
the  stillness  in  the  Coquette,  that  the  rushing  sound  of  the 
water  she  heaped  under  her  bows  was  distinctly  audible  to  all 
on  board,  and  might  be  likened  to  the  deep  breathing  of  some 
vast  animal,  that  was  collecting  its  physical  energies  fcr  some 
unusual  exertion.  On  the  other  hand,  tongues  were  loud  and 
clamorous  among  the  cordage  of  La  Fontange.  Just  as  the 
ships  were  fairly  abeam,  the  voice  of  young  Dumont  was 
heard,  shouting  through  a  trumpet  for  his  men  to  fire.  Lud 
low  smiled,  in  a  seaman's  scorn.  Raising  his  own  trumpet, 
with  a  quiet  gesture  to  his  attentive  and  ready  crew,  the 
whole  discharge  of  their  artillery  broke  out  of  the  dark  side 
of  the  ship,  as  if  it  had  been  by  the  volition  of  the  fabric. 
The  answering  broadside  was  received  almost  as  soon  as  their 
own  had  been  given,  and  the  two  vessels  passed  swiftly  with 
out  the  line  of  shot. 

The  wind  had  sent  back  their  own  smoke  upon  the  Eng 
lish,  and,  for  a  time,  it  floated  on  their  decks,  wreathed  itself 
in  the  eddies  of  the  sails,  and  passed  away  to  leeward,  with 
the  breeze  that  succeeded  to  the  counter- current  of  the  explo 
sions.  The  whistling  of  shot  and  the  crash  of  wood  had  been 
heard  amid  the  din  of  the  combat.  Giving  a  glance  at  his 
enemy,  who  still  stood  on,  Ludlow  leaned  from  the  poop, 
and,  with  a  sailor's  anxiety,  he  endeavored  to  scan  the  gear 
aloft. 

"  What  is  gone,  sir?  "  he  asked  of  Trysail,  whose  earnest 
face  just  then  became  visible  through  the  drifting  smoke. 
**  What  sail  is  so  heavily  flapping?  " 

"Little  harm  done,  sir — little  harm. — Bear  a  hand  with  the 
tackle  on  that  fore-yard-arm,  you  lubbers  !  you  move  like  snails 
in  a  minuet !  The  fellow  has  shot  away  the  lee  foretop-sail- 
sheet,  sir  ;  but  we  shall  soon  get  our  wings  spread  again.  Lash 
it  down,  boys,  as  if  it  were  butt-bolted — so ;  steady  out  youi 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  319 

bowline,  forward.  Meet  her,  you  can;  meet  her,  you  may — 
meet  her  !  " 

The  smok/1  had  disappeared,  and  the  eye  of  the  captain 
rapidly  scanned  the  whole  of  his  ship.  Three  or  four  topmen 
had  already  caught  the  Mapping  canvas,  and  were  seated  on  the 
extremity  of  the  fore-yard,  busied  in  seeming  their  prize.  A 
hole  or  two  was  visible  in  the  other  sails,  and  here  and  there 
an  unimportant  rope  was  dangling  in  a  manner  to  show  that  it 
had  been  cut  by  shot.  Further  than  this,  the  damage  aloft  was 
not  of  a  nature  to  attract  his  attention. 

There  was  a  different  scene  on  deck.  The  feeble  crew  were 
earnestly  occupied  in  loading  the  guns,  and  rammers  and 
sponges  were  handled  with  all  the  intenseness  which  men 
would  manifest  in  a  moment  so  exciting.  The  alderman  wa& 
never  more  absorbed  in  his  ledger  than  he  now  appeared  in  his 
duty  of  a  cannoneer ;  and  the  youths,  to  whom  the  command 
of  the  batteries  had  necessarily  been  confided,  diligently  aided 
him  with  their  greater  authority  and  experience.  Trysail  stood 
near  the  capstan,  coolly  giving  the  orders  which  have  been 
related,  and  gazing  upward  with  an  interest  so  absorbed  as  to 
render  him  unconscious  of  all  that  passed  around  his  person. 
Ludlow  saw,  with  pain,  that  blood  discolored  the  deck  at  his 
feet,  and  that  a  seaman  lay  dead  within  reach  of  his  arm.  The 
rent  plank  and  shattered  ceiling  showed  the  spot  where  the 
destructive  missile  had  entered. 

Compressing  his  lips  like  a  man  resolved,  the  commander  of 
the  Coquette  bent  farther  forward  and  glanced  at  the  wheel. 
The  quartermaster,  who  held  the  spokes,  was  erect,  steady, 
and  kept  his  eye  on  the  leach  of  the  head-sail,  as  unerringly 
as  the  needle  points  to  the  pole. 

These  were  the  observations  of  a  single  minute.  The  differ 
ent  circumstances  related  had  been  ascertained  with  so  many 
rapid  glance*  of  the  eye,  and  they  had  even  been  noted  with 
out  losing  for  a  moment  the  knowledge  of  the  precise  situation 
of  La  Fontange.  The  latter  was  already  in  stays.  It  became 
necessary  to  meet  the  evolution  by  another  as  prompt. 

The  order  was  no  sooner  given,  than  the  Coquette,  as  if 
conscious  of  the  hazard  she  ran  of  being  raked,  whirled  away 
from  the  wind,  and,  by  the  time  her  adversary  was  ready  to 
deliver  her  other  broadside,  she  was  in  a  position  to  receive 
and  to  return  it.  Again  the  ships  approached  each  other, 
and  once  more  they  exchanged  their  streams  of  fire  when 
abeam. 

Ludlow  now  saw,  through  the  smoke,  the  ponderous  yard 


320  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

of  La  Fontange  swinging  heavily  against  the  breeze,  aM  tK 
main-topsail  come  flapping  against  her  mast.     Swinging  o* 
from  the  poop  by  a  backstay  that  had  been  shot  away  a  moment 
before,,  he  alighted    on   the  quarter-deck   by  the  side  of  the 
master. 

"  Touch  all  the  braces  !  "  he  said,  hastily,  but  still  speaking 
tow  and  clearly  ;  ' '  give  a  drag  upon  the  bowlines — luff,  sir, 
luff;  jam  the  ship  up  hard  against  the  wind  !  " 

The  clear,  steady  answer  of  the  quartermaster,  and  the 
manner  in  which  the  Coquette,  still  vomiting  her  sheets  of 
flame,  inclined  toward  the  breeze,  announced  the  promptitude 
of  the  subordinates.  In  another  minute,  the  vast  volumes  of 
smoke  which  enveloped  the  two  ships  joined,  and  formed  one 
white  and  troubled  cloud,  which  was  rolling  swiftly  before  the 
explosions,  over  the  surface  of  the  sea,  but  which,  as  it  rose 
higher  in  the  air,  sailed  gracefully  to  leeward. 

Our  young  commander  passed  swiftly  through  the  batteries, 
spoke  encouragingly  to  his  people,  and  resumed  his  post  on  the 
poop.  The  stationary  position  of  La  Fontange,  and  his  own 
efforts  to  get  to  windward,  were  already  proving  advantageous 
to  Queen  Anne's  cruiser.  There  was  some  indecision  on  the 
part  of  the  other  ship,  which  instantly  caught  the  eye  of  one 
whose  readiness  in  his  profession  so  much  resembled  in 
stinct. 

The  Chevalier  Dumont  had  amused  his  leisure  by  running 
his  eyes  over  the  records  of  the  naval  history  of  his  country, 
where  he  had  found  this  and  that  commander  applauded  for 
throwing  their  topsails  to  the  mast,  abreast  of  their  enemies, 
xgnorant  of  the  difference  between  a  ship  in  line  and  one  engaged 
uingly,  he  had  determined  to  prove  himself  equal  to  a  similar 
display  of  spirit.  At  the  moment  when  Ludlow  was  standing 
Klone  on  the  poop,  watching  with  vigilant  eyes  the  progress  of 
rtis  own  vessel,  and  the  position  of  his  enemy,  indicating 
merely  by  a  look  or  a  gesture,  to  the  attentive  Trysail  beneath, 
what  he  wished  done,  there  was  actually  a  wordy  discussion 
on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  latter,  between  the  mariner  of 
Boulogne-sur-Mer  and  the  gay  favorite  of  the  salons.  They 
debated  on  the  expediency  of  the  step  which  the  latter  had 
taken,  to  prove  the  existence  of  a  quality  that  no  one  doubted. 
The  time  lost  in  this  difference  of  opinion  was  of  the  last  im 
portance  to  the  British  cruiser.  Standing  gallantly  on,  she  was 
soon  out  of  the  range  of  her  adversary's  fire ;  and,  before  the 
Boulognois  had  succeeded  in  convincing  his  superior  of  his  error, 
their  antagonist  was  on  the  other  tack,  and  luffing  across  the 


THE    WATER  WITCH.  323 

wake  of  La  Fontange.  The  topsail  was  then  tardily  filled, 
but,  before  the  latter  ship  had  recovered  her  motion,  the  sails 
of  her  enemy  overshadowed  her  deck.  There  was  now  every 
prospect  of  the  Coquette  passing  to  windward.  At  that  critical 
moment,  the  fair-setting  topsail  of  the  British  cruiser  was  nearly 
rent  in  two  by  a  shot.  The  ship  fell  off,  the  yards  interlocked, 
and  the  vessels  were  foul. 

The  Coquette  had  all  the  advantage  of  position.  Perceiving 
the  important  -fact  at  a  glance,  Ludlow  made  sure  of  its  con 
tinuance  by  throwing  his  grapnels.  When  the  two  ships  were 
thus  fairly  lashed  together,  the  young  Dumont  found  hinself 
relieved  from  a  mountain  of  embarrassment.  Sufficiently  just 
tified  by  the  fact  that  not  a  single  gun  of  his  own  would  bear, 
while  a  murderous  discharge  of  grape  had  just  swept  along  his 
decks,  he  issued  the  order  to  board.  But  Ludlow,  with  hi« 
weakened  crew,  had  not  decided  on  so  hazardous  an  evolution 
as  that  which  brought  him  in  absolute  contact  with  his  ene 
my,  without  foreseeing  the  means  of  avoiding  all  the  conse 
quences.  The  vessels  touched  each  other  only  at  one  point, 
and  this  spot  was  protected  by  a  row  of  muskets.  No  sooner, 
therefore,  did  the  impetuous  young  Frenchman  appear  on  the 
taffrail  of  his  own  ship,  supported  by  a  band  of  followers, 
than  a  close  and  deadly  fire  swept  them  away  to  a  man.  Young 
Dumont  alone  remained.  For  a  single  moment,  his  eye  glared 
mildly ;  but  the  active  frame,  still  obedient  to  the  governing 
impulse  of  so  impetuous  a  spirit,  leaped  onward.  He  fell, 
without  life,  en  the  deck  of  his  enemy. 

Ludlow  watched  every  moment,  with  a  calmness  that  neither 
personal  responsibility,  nor  the  uproar  and  rapid  incidents  of 
the  terrible  scene,  could  discompose. 

"  Now  is  our  time  to  bring  the  matter  hand  to  hand  !  "  tie 
cried,  making  a  gesture  to  Trysail  to  descend  from  the  ladder, 
in  order  that  he  might  pass. 

His  arm  was  arrested,  and  the  grave  old  master  pointed  to 
windward. 

"There    is   no    mistaking    the  cut  of  those  sails,  or  the 
lofty  rise  of  those  spars  !     The  stranger  is  another   French 
man  !  " 

One  glance  told  Ludlow  that  his  subordinate  was  right ; 
another  sufficed  to  show  what  was  necessary. 

"  Cast  loose  the  forward  grapnel — cut  it — away  with  it, 
dear  !  "  was  shouted,  through  his  trumpet,  in  a  voice  that  rose 
commanding  and  clear  amid  the  roar  of  the  combat. 

"Released  forward,  the  stern  of  the  Coquette  yielded  to  the 


322  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

pressure  of  her  enemy,  whose  sails  were  all  drawing,  and  sht 
was  soon  in  a  position  to  enable  her  head-yards  to  be  braced 
sharp  aback,  in  a  direction  opposite  to  the  one  in  which  she 
had  so  lately  lain.  The  whole  broadside  was  then  delivered 
into  the  stern  of  La  Fontange,  the  last  grapnel  was  released, 
and  the  ships  separated. 

The  single  spirit  which  presided  over  the  evolutions  and  ex 
ertions  of  the  Coquette  still  governed  her  movements.  The 
sails  were  trimmed,  the  ship  was  got  in  command,  and,  before 
the  vessels  had  been  asunder  five  minutes,  the  duty  of  the  vessel 
was  in  its  ordinary  active  but  noiseless  train. 

Nimble  topmen  were  on  the  yards,  and  broad  folds  of  fresh 
canvas  were  flapping  in  the  breeze,  as  the  new  sails  were  bent 
and  set.  Ropes  were  spliced,  or  supplied  by  new  rigging,  the 
spars  examined,  and,  in  fine,  all  that  watchfulness  and  sedulous 
care  were  observed  which  are  necessary  to  the  efficiency  and 
safety  of  a  ship.  Every  spar  was  secured,  the  pumps  were 
sounded,  and  the  vessel  held  on  her  way,  as  steadily  as  if  she 
hail  never  fired  nor  received  a  shot. 

On  the  other  hand,  La  Fontange  betrayed  the  indecision  and 
confusion  of  a  worsted  ship.  Her  torn  canvas  was  blowing 
about  in  disorder,  many  important  ropes  beat  against  her  masts 
unheeded,  and  the  vessel  itself  drove  before  the  breeze  in  the 
helplessness  of  a  wreck.  For  several  minutes  there  seemed  no 
controlling  mind  in  the  fabric ;  and  when,  after  so  much  dis 
tance  was  lost  as  to  give  her  enemy  all  the  advantage  of  the 
wind,  a  tardy  attempt  was  made  to  bring  the  ship  up  again, 
the  tallest  and  most  important  of  her  masts  was  seen  tottering, 
until  it  finally  fell,  with  all  its  hamper,  into  the  sea. 

Notwithstanding  the  absence  of  so  many  of  his  people,  suc 
cess  would  now  have  been  certain  had  not  the  presence  of  the 
stranger  compelled  Ludlow  to  abandon  his  advantage.  But 
the  consequences  to  his  own  vessel  were  too  sure  to  allow  of 
more  than  a  natural  and  manly  regret  that  so  favorable  an  oc 
casion  should  escape  him.  The  character  of  the  stranger 
could  no  longer  be  mistaken.  The  eye  of  every  seaman  in  the 
Coquette  as  well  understood  the  country  of  the  high  and  nar- 
tow-headed  sails,  the  tall  taper  masts  and  short  yards  of  the 
frigate  whose  hull  was  now  distinctly  visible,  as  a  landsman 
recognizes  an  individual  by  the  distinguishing  marks  of  his 
features  or  attire.  Had  there  been  any  lingering  doubts  on 
the  subject,  they  would  have  all  given  place  to  certainty,  when 
the  stranger  WPS  seen  exchanging  signals  with  the  crippled 
sorvette. 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  32$ 

It  was  now  time  for  Ludlow  to  come  to  a  speedy  determina« 
tion  on  his  future  course.  The  breeze  still  held  to  the  south 
ward,  but  it  was  beginning  to  lessen,  with  every  appearance 
that  it  would  fail  before  nightfall.  The  land  lay  a  few  leagues 
to  the  northward,  and  the  whole  horizon  of  the  ocean,  with 
the  exception  of  the  two  French  cruisers,  was  clear.  Descend 
ing  to  the  quarter-deck,  he  approached  the  master,  who  was 
seated  in  a  chair,  while  the  surgeon  dressed  a  severe  hurt  in 
one  of  his  legs.  Shaking  the  sturdy  veteran  cordially  by  the 
hand,  he  expressed  his  acknowledgments  for  his  support  in  a 
moment  so  trying. 

11  God  bless  you  !  God  bless  you  !  Captain  Ludlow,*'  re 
turned  the  old  sailor,  dashing  his  hand  equivocally  across  his 
weather-beaten  brow.  ' "  Battle  is  certainly  the  place  to  try 
both  ship  and  friends  ;  and,  Heaven  be  praised  !  Queen  Anne 
has  not  failed  of  either  this  day.  No  man  has  forgotten  his 
duty,  so  far  as  my  eyes  have  witnessed  ;  and  this  is  saying  no 
trifle,  with  half  a  crew  and  an  equal  enemy.  As  for  the  ship, 
she  never  behaved  better  !  I  had  my  misgivings  when  I  saw 
the  new  main-topsail  go,  which  it  did,  as  all  here  know,  like  a 
bit  of  rent  muslin  between  the  fingers  of  a  seamstress. — Run 
forward,  Mr.  Hopper,  and  tell  the  men  in  the  fore  rigging  to 
take  another  drag  on  that  swifter,  and  to  be  careful  and  bring 
the  strain  equal  on  all  the  shrouds. — A  lively  youth,  Captain 
Ludlow,  and  one  who  only  wants  a  little  reflection,  with  som* 
more  experience,  and  a  small  dash  of  modesty,  together  with 
the  seamanship  he  will  naturally  get  in  time,  to  make  a  very 
tolerable  officer." 

"  The  boy  promises  well ;  but  I  have  come  to  ask  thy  ad 
vice,  my  old  friend,  concerning  our  next  movements.  There 
'is  no  doubt  that  the  fellow  who  is  coming  down  upon  us  is 
both  a  Frenchman  and  a  frigate." 

"  A  man  might  as  well  doubt  the  nature  of  a  fish-hawk 
which  is  to  pick  up  all  the  small  fry,  and  to  let  the  big  ones 
go.  We  might  show  him  our  canvas  and  try  the  open  sea,  but 
I  fear  that  foremast  is  too  weak,  with  three  such  holes  in  it,  to 
bear  the  sail  we  should  need  !  " 

"  What  think  you  of  the  wind  ?  "  said  Ludlow,  affecting  an 
indecision  he  did  not  feel,  in  order  to  soothe  the  feelings  of 
his  wounded  companion.  "  Should  it  hold,  we  might  double 
Montauk,  and  return  for  the  rest  of  our  people  ;  but  should  it 
fail,  is  there  no  danger  that  the  frigate  should  tow  within  shot? 
A— We  have  no  boats  to  escape  her." 

""The  soundings  on  this  coast  are  as  regular  as  the  roof  of 


3^41  THE    WATER-WITCH, 

an  out-house,'*  said  the  master,  after  a  moment  of  though^ 
"  and  it  is  my  advice,  if  it  is  your  pleasure  to  ask  it,  Captain 
Ludlow,  that  we  shoal  our  water  as  mur.h  as  possible  while  the 
wind  lasts.  Then  I  think  we  shall  be  safe  from  a  very  near 
visit  from  the  big  one ;  as  for  the  corvette,  I  am  of  opinion 
that,  like  a  man  who  has  eaten  his  dinner,  she  has  no  stomach 
for  another  slice." 

Ludlow  applauded  the  advice  of  his  subordinate,  for  it  was 
precisely  what  he  had  determined  on  doing  ;  and,  after  again 
complimenting  him  on  his  coolness  and  skill,  he  issued  the 
necessary  orders.  The  helm  of  the  Coquette  was  now  placed 
hard  a-weather,  the  yards  were  squared,  and  the  ship  was  pm 
before  the  wind.  After  running  in  this  direction  for  a  few 
hours,  the  wind  gradually  lessening,  the  lead  announced  that 
the  keel  was  quite  as  near  the  bottom  as  the  time  of  the  tide, 
and  the  dull  heaving  and  setting  of  the  element,  rendered  at 
all  prudent.  The  breeze  soon  after  fell,  and  our  young  com 
mander  ordered  an  anchor  to  be  dropped  into  the  sea. 

His  example  in  the  latter  respect  was  imitated  by  the  hostile 
cruisers.  They  had  joined,  and  boats  were  seen  passing  from 
one  to  the  other,  so  long  as  there  was  light.  When  the  sun 
fell  behind  the  western  margin  of  the  ocean,  their  dusKy  out 
lines,  distant  about  a  league,  gradually  grew  less  and  less  dis 
tinct,  until  the  darkness  of  night  enveloped  sea  and  land  in  its 
gloom. 


CHAPTER  XXXL 
«*  Now ;  the  business.** 


OTHELLO 


THREE  hours  later,  and  every  noise  was  hushed  on  board 
the  royal  cruiser.  The  toil  of  repairing  damages  had  ceased  ; 
and  most  of  the  living,  with  the  dead,  lay  alike  in  common 
silence.  The  watchfulness  necessary  to  the  situation  of  the 
fatigued  mariners,  however,  was  not  forgotten  ;  and,  though 
so  many  slept,  a  few  eyes  were  still  open,  affecting  to  be  alert. 
Here  and  there  some  drowsy  seaman  paced  the  deck,  or  a  sol 
itary  young  officer  endeavored  to  keep  himself  awake  by  hum 
ming  a  low  air  in  his  narrow  bounds.  The  mass  of  the  crew 
slept  heavily  with  pistols  in  their  belts  and  cutlasses  at  their 
sides,  between  the  guns.  There  was  one  figure  extended  upoc 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  32$ 

the  quarter-deck,  with  the  head  resting  on  a  shot-box.  The 
deqp  breathing  of  this  person  denoted  the  unquiet  slumbers  of 
a  powerful  frame,  in  which  weariness  contended  with  suffer 
ing.  It  was  the  wounded  and  feverish  master,  who  had  placed 
himself  in  that  position  to  catch  an  hour  of  the  repose  that  was 
necessary  to  his  situation.-  On  an  arm-chest  which  had  been 
emptied  of  its  contents,  lay  another  but  a  motionless  human 
form,  with  the  limbs  composed  in  decent  order,  and  with  the 
face  turned  toward  the  melancholy  stars.  This  was  the  body 
of  the  young  Dumont,  which  had  been  kept  with  the  intention 
of  consigning  it  to  consecrated  earth,  when  the  ship  should 
return  to  port.  Ludlow,  with  the  delicacy  of  a  generous  and 
chivalrous  enemy,  had  with  his  own  hands  spread  the  stainless 
ensign  of  his  country  over  the  remains  of  the  inexperienced 
but  gallant  young  Frenchman. 

There  was  one  little  group  on  the  raised  deck  in  the  stern 
of  the  vessel,  in  which  the  ordinary  interests  of  life  still 
seemed  to  exercise  their  influence.  Hither  Ludlow  had  led 
Alida  and  her  companions,  after  the  duties  of  the  day  were 
over,  in  order  that  they  might  breathe  an  air  fresher  than  that 
of  the  interior  of  the  vessel.  The  negress  nodded  near  her 
young  mistress ;  the  tired  alderman  sat  with  his  back  sup 
ported  against  the  mizzen-mast,  giving  audible  evidence  of  his 
situation ;  and  Ludlow  stood  erect,  occasionally  throwing  an 
earnest  look  on  the  surrounding  and  unruffled  waters,  then 
lending  his  attention  to  the  discourse  of  his  companions. 
Alida  and  Seadrift  were  seated  near  each  other,  on  chairs. 
The  conversation  was  low,  while  the  melancholy  and  the  tremor 
in  the  voice  of  la  belle  Barbaric  denoted  how  much  the  events 
of  the  day  had  shaken  her  usually  firm  and  spirited  mind. 

"  There  is  a  mingling  of  the  terrific  and  the  beautiful,  of 
the  grand  and  the  seducing,  in  this  unquiet  profession  of 
yours  !  "  observed,  or  rather  continued  Alida,  replying  to  a 
previous  remark  of  the  young  sailor.  "  That  tranquil  sea — 
the  hollow  sound  of  the  surf  on  the  shore— and  this  soft 
canopy  above  us,  form  objects  on  which  even  a  girl  might 
dwell  in  admiration,  were  not  her  ears  still  ringing  with  the 
roar  and  cries  of  the  combat.  Did  you  say  the  commander 
of  the  Frenchman  was  but  a  youth  ?  " 

"  A  mere  boy  in  appearance,  and  one  who  doubtless  owed 
his  rank  to  the  advantages  of  birth  and  family.  We  know  it 
to  be  the  captain  by  his  dress,  no  less  than  by  the  desperate 
effort  he  made  to  recover  the  false  step  taken  in  the  earliel 
part  of  the  action." 


326  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

u  Perhaps  he  has  a  mother,  Ludlow  ! — a  sistej — a  wife— « 
or-" 

Alida  paused,  for  with  maiden  diffidence  she  hesitated  to 
pronounce  the  tie  which  was  uppermost  in  her  thoughts. 

"  He  may  have  had  one  or  all  !  Such  are  the  sailor's 
hazards,  and — " 

"  Such  the  hazards  of  those  who  feel  an  interest  in  their 
safety  !  "  uttered  the  low  but  expressive  voice  of  Seadrift. 

An  eloquent  silence  succeeded.  Then  the  voice  of  Myndert 
was  heard  muttering  indistinctly  "  Twenty  of  beaver,  and 
three  of  marten — as  per  invoice."  The  smile  which,  spite  of 
the  train  of  his  thoughts,  rose  on  the  lips  of  Ludlow,  had 
scarcely  passed  away,  when  the  hoarse  tones  of  Trysail,  ren 
dered  still  hoarser  by  his  sleep,  were  plainly  heard  in  a  stifled 
cry,  saying,  "  Bear  a  hand  there  with  your  stoppers  ! — the 
Frenchman  is  coming  round  upon  us  again." 

"  That  is  prophetic  !  "  said  one,  aloud,  behind  the  listening 
group.  Ludlow  turned,  quick  as  the  flag  fluttering  on  its 
vane,  and  through  the  darkness  he  recognized  in  the  motion 
less  but  manly  form  that  stood  near  him  on  the  poop,  the  fine 
person  of  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas." 

1  'Call  away— " 

"  Call  none  !  "  interrupted  Tiller,  stopping  the  hurried 
order  which  involuntarily  broke  from  the  lips  of  Ludlow. 
"Let  thy  ship  feign  the  silence  of  a  wreck,  but  in  truth  let 
there  be  watchfulness  and  preparation  even  to  her  store-rooms  ! 
You  have  done  well,  Captain  Ludlow,  to  be  on  the  alert, 
though  I  have  known  sharper  eyes  than  those  of  some  of  your 
lookouts." 

"Whence  come  you,  audacious  man,  and  what  mad  errand 
has  brought  you  again  on  the  deck  of  my  ship?" 

1 '  I  come  from  my  habitation  on  thfe  sea.  My  business  here 
is  warning  !  " 

''The  sea!"  echoed  Ludlow,  gazing  about  him  at  the 
narrow  and  empty  view.  "  The  hour  for  mockery  is  past, 
and  you  would  do  well  to  trifle  no  more  with  those  who  have 
serious  duties  to  discharge." 

"The  hour  is  indeed  one  for  serious  duties — duties  more 
serious  than  any  you  apprehend.  But,  before  I  enter  on  ex 
planation,  there  must  be  conditions  between  us.  You  have 
one  of  the  sea  green  lady's  servitors  here  ;  I  claim  his  liberty 
for  my  secret." 

"The  error  into  which  I  had  fallen  exists  no  longer,"  re 
turned  Ludlow,  looking  for  an  instant  toward  the  shrinking 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  32; 

form  of  Seadrift.  "  My  conquest  is  worthless,  unless  you 
come  to  supply  his  place." 

' '  I  come  for  other  purposes — here  is  one  who  knows  I  do 
not  trifle  when  urgent  affairs  are  on  hand.  Let  thy  com 
panions  retire,  that  I  may  speak  openly." 

Ludlow  hesitated,  for  he  had  not  yet  recovered  from  the  sur 
prise  of  finding  the  redoubtable  free-trader  so  unexpectedly  on 
the  deck  of  his  ship.  But  Alida  and  her  companion  arose, 
like  those  who  had  more  confidence  in  their  visitor,  and, 
arousing  the  negress  from  her  sleep,  they  descended  the  ladder 
and  entered  the  cabin.  When  Ludlow  found  himself  alone 
with  Tiller,  he  demanded  an  explanation. 

"  It  shall  not  be  withheld,  for  time  presses,  and  that  which 
is  to  be  done  must  be  done  with  a  seaman's  care  and  cool 
ness,"  returned  the  other.  "  You  have  had  a  close  brush 
with  one  of  Louis's  rovers,  Captain  Ludlow^.  and  prettily  was 
the  ship  of  Queen  Anne  handled  !  Have  your  people  suffered 
and  are  you  still  strong  enough  to  make  good  a  defence  worthy 
of  your  conduct  this  morning?  " 

"  These  are  facts  you  would  have  me  utter  to  the  ear  of  one 
who  may  be  false — even  a  spy  !  " 

"  Captain  Ludlow — but  circumstances  warrant  thy  suspi 
cions  !  " 

"  One  whose  vessel  and  life  I  have  threatened — an  outlaw  !  " 

"This  is  too  true,"  returned  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas," 
suppressing  the  sudden  impulse  of  pride  and  resentment.  "I 
am  threatened  and  pursued — I  am  a  smuggler  and  an  outlaw : 
still  am  I  human  !  You  see  that  dusky  object  which  borders 
the  sea  to  the  northward  ?  " 

"It  is  too  plainly  land  to  be  mistaken." 

"  Land,  and  the  land  of  my  birth  ! — the  earliest^  perhaps 
I  may  say  the  happiest  of  my  days,  were  passed  on  that  long 
and  narrow  island." 

"Had  I  known  it  earlier,  there  would  have  been  a  closer 
look  among  its  bays  and  inlets." 

"  The  search  might  have  been  rewarded.  A  cannon  would 
easily  throw  its  shot  from  this  deck  to  the  spot  where  my 
brigantine  now  lies,  snug  at  a  single  anchor." 

"  Unless  you  have  swept  her  near  since  the  setting  of  the 
sun,  that  is  impossible  !  When  the  night  drew  on,  nothing 
was  in  view  but  the  frigate  and  corvette  of  the  enemy." 

"  We  have  not  stirred  a  fathom  ;  yet,  true  as  the  word  of  a 
fearless  man,  there  lies  the  vessel  of  the  sea-green  lady.  You 
see  the  place  where  the  beach  falls — here,  at  the  nearest  point 


328  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

of  the  land — the  island  is  nearly  severed  by  the  water  at  that 
spot,  and  the  Water-Witch  is  safe  in  the  depths  of  the  bay 
which  enters  from  the  northward.  There  is  not  a  mile  be 
tween  us.  From  the  eastern  hill,  I  witnessed  your  spirit  this 
clay,  Captain  Ludlow,  and  though  condemned  in  person,  I  felt 
that  the  heart  could  never  be  outlawed.  There  is  a  fealty 
here,  that  can  survive  even  the  persecutions  of  the  custom 
houses  !  " 

"  You  are  happy  in  your  terms,  sir.  I  will  not  conceal  that 
I  think  a  seaman,  even  as  skilful  as  yourself,  must  aliow  that 
the  Coquette  was  kept  prettily  in  command." 

"  No  pilot-boat  could  have  been  more  sure  or  more  lively. 
I  knew  your  weakness,  for  the  absence  of  all  your  boats  was  no 
secret  to  me ;  and  I  confess  I  could  have  spared  some  of  the 
profits  of  the  voyage,  to  have  been  on  your  decks  this  day 
with  a  dozen  of  my  truest  fellows  !  " 

"  A  man  who  can  feel  this  loyalty  to  the  flag,  should  find  a 
more  honorable  occupation  for  his  usual  life." 

"A  country  that  can  inspire  it,  should  be  cautious  not  to 
estrange  the  affections  of  its  children  by  monopolies  and  in 
justice.  But  these  are  discussions  unsuited  to  the  moment.  I 
am  doubly  your  countryman  in  this  strait,  and  all  the  past  is 
no  more  than  the  rough  liberties  which  friends  take  with  each 
other.  Captain  Ludlow,  there  is  danger  brooding  in  that  dark 
void  which  lies  to  seaward  !  " 

"  On  what  authority  do  you  speak  thus?  " 

"  Sight. — I  have  been  among  your  enemies,  and  have  seen 
their  deadly  preparations.  I  know  the  caution  is  given  to  a 
brave  man,  and  nothing  shall  be  extenuated.  You  have  need 
of  all  your  resolution  and  of  every  arm — for  they  will  be  upon 
you  in  overwhelming  numbers  !  " 

t(  True  or  false,  thy  warning  shall  not  be  neglected." 

"  Hold  !  "  said  the  Skimmer,  arresting  a  forward  movement 
of  his  companion,  with  his  hand.  "  Let  them  sleep  to  the 
last  moment.  You  have  yet  an  hour,  and  rest  will  renew  their 
strength.  You  may  trust  the  experience  of  a  seaman  who  has 
passed  half  of  the  life  of  man  on  the  ocean,  and  who  has  wit 
nessed  all  its  most  stirring  scenes,  from  the  conflict  of  the  ele 
ments  to  every  variety  of  strife  that  man  has  invented  to  destroy 
his  fellows.  For  another  hour,  you  will  be  secure.  After  that 
hour,  God  protect  the  unprepared  !  and  God  be  merciful  to 
him  whose  minutes  are  numbered  !  " 

"  Thy  language  and  manner  are  those  of  one  who  deals 
honestly,"  returned  Ludlow.  struck  by  the  apparent  sincerity 


THE  WATER-WITCH:  329 

of  the  free-trader's  communication.  "  In  every  event,  we 
shall  be  ready,  though  the  manner  of  your  having  gained  this 
knowledge  is  as  great  a  mystery  as  your  appearance  on  the 
deck  of  my  ship." 

'•'Both  can  be  explained,"  returned  the  Skimmer,  motion 
ing  to  his  companion  to  follow  to  the  taffrail.  Here  he 
pointed  to  a  small  and  nearly  imperceptible  skiff,  which 
floated  at  the  bottom  of  a  stern -ladder,  and  continued  :  "  One 
who  so  often  pays  secret  visits  to  the  land,  can  never  be  in 
want  of  the  means.  This  nut-shell  was  easily  transported 
across  the  narrow  slip  of  land  that  separates  the  bay  from  the 
ocean;  and,  though  the  surf  moans  so  hoarsely,  it  is  easily 
passed  by  a  steady  and  dexterous  oarsman.  I  have  been  under 
the  martingale  of  the  Frenchman,  and  you  see  that  I  am  here. 
If  your  lookouts  are  less  alert  than  usual,  you  will  remember 
that  a  low  gunwale,  a  dusky  side,  and  a  muffled  oar,  are  not 
readily  detected,  when  the  eye  is  heavy  and  the  body  wearied. 
I  must  now  quit  you — unless  you  think  it  more  prudent  to  send 
those  who  can  be  of  no  service  out  of  the  ship  before  the  trial 
shall  come?" 

Ludlow  hesitated.  A  strong  desire  to  put  Alida  in  a  place 
of  safety  was  met  by  his  distrust  of  the  smuggler's  faith.  He 
reflected  a  moment  ere  he  answered. 

"  Your  cockle-shell  is  not  sufficiently  secure  for  more  than 
its  owner.  Go,  and  as  you  prove  loyal,  may  you  prosper  !  " 

"Abide  the  blow  !  "  said  the  Skimmer,  grasping  his  hand. 
He  then  stepped  carelessly  on  the  dangling  ropes,  and  de 
scended  into  the  boat  beneath.  Ludlow  watched  his  move 
ments  with  an  intense  and  possibly  with  a  distrustful  curiosity., 
When  seated  at  the  sculls,  the  person  of  the  free-trader  was 
nearly  indistinct;  and,  as  the  boat  glided  noiselessly  away,  the 
young  commander  no  longer  felt  disposed  to  censure  those  who 
had  permitted  its  approach  without  a  warning.  In  less  than  a 
minute  the  dusky  object  was  confounded  with  the  surface  of 
the  sea. 

Left  to  himself,  the  young  commander  of  the  Coquette  seri 
ously  reflected  on  what  had  passed.  The  manner  of  the 
Skimmer,  the  voluntary  character  of  his  communication,  its 
probability  and  the  means  by  which  the  knowledge  had  been 
obtained,  united  to  confirm  his  truth.  Instances  of  similar 
attachment  to  their  flag,  in  seamen  whose  ordinary  pursuits 
were  opposed  to  its  interests,  were  not  uncommon.  Their 
misdeeds  resemble  the  errors  of  passion  and  temptation,  while 


330 

the  momentary  return  to  better  things  is  the  inextinguishable 
impulse  of  nature. 

The  admonition  of  the  free-trader,  who  had  enjoined  the 
captain  to  allow  his  people  to  sleep,  was  remembered.  Twenty 
times,  within  as  many  minutes,  did  our  young  sailor  examine 
his  watch  to  note  the  tardy  passage  of  the  time ;  as  often  did 
he  return  it  to  his  pocket  with  a  determination  to  forbear.  At 
length  he  descended  to  the  quarter-deck,  and  drew  near  the 
Only  form  that  was  erect.  The  watch  was  commanded  by  a 
youth  of  sixteen,  v;hose  regular  period  of  probationary  service 
had  not  passed,  but  who,  in  the  absence  of  his  superiors,  was 
intrusted  with  this  delicate  and  important  duty.  He  stood 
leaning  against  the  capstan,  one  hand  supporting  his  cheek, 
while  the  elbow  rested  against  the  drum,  and  the  body  was 
without  motion.  Ludlow  regarded  him  a  moment ;  then  lift 
ing  a  lighted  battle  lantern  to  his  face,  he  saw  that  he  slept. 
Without  disturbing  the  delinquent,  the  captain  replaced  the 
lantern  and  passed  forward.  In  the  gangway  there  stood  & 
marine,  with  his  musket  shouldered,  in  an  attitude  of  atten 
tion.  As  Ludlow  brushed  within  a  few  inches  of  his  eyes,  it 
was  easy  to  be  seen  that  they  opened  and  shut  involuntarily,  and 
without  consciousness  of  what  lay  before  them.  On  the  top 
gallant-forecastle  was  a  short,  square,  and  well-balanced  figure, 
tha.t  stood  without  support  of  any  kind,  with  both  arms  thrust 
into  the  bosom  of  a  jacket,  and  a  head  that  turned  slowly  to 
the  west  and  south,  as  if  it  were  examining  the  ocean  in  those 
directions. 

Stepping  lightly  up  the  ladder,  Ludlow  saw  that  it  was  the 
veteran  seaman  who  was  rated  as  the  captain  of  the  forecastle. 

"  I  am  glad,  at  last,  to  find  one  pair  of  eyes  open  in  my 
ship,"  said  the  captain.  "  Of  the  whole  watch,  you  alone  are 
alert." 

"I  have  doubled  cape  fifty,  your  honor,  and  the  seaman 
who  has  made  that  voyage  rarely  wants  the  second  call  of  the 
boatswain.  Young  heads  have  young  eyes,  and  sleep  is  next 
to  food,  after  a  heavy  drag  at  gun-tackles  and  lanyards." 

"What  draws  your  attention  so  steadily  in  that  quarter? 
There  is  nothing  visible  but  the  haze  of  the  sea." 

"  'Tis  the  direction  of  the  Frenchman,  sir — does  your 
honor  hear  nothing  ?  " 

"  Nothing,"  said  Ludlow,  after  intently  listening  for  half  a 
minute.  "Nothing,  unless  it  be  the  wash  of  the  surf  on  the 
beach." 

'  It  may  be  only  fancy,  but  there  came  a  sound  like  the  faU 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  33! 

of  an  oar-blade  on  a  thwart,  and  'tis  but  natural,  your  honor, 
to  expect  the  mounsheer  will  be  out,  in  this  smooth  water,  to 
see  what  has  become  of  us. — There  went  the  flash  of  a  light, 
or  my  name  is  not  Bob  Cleet !  " 

Ludlow  was  silent.  A  light  was  certainly  visible  in  the 
quarter  where  the  enemy  was  known  to  be  anchored,  and  it 
came  and  disappeared  like  a  moving  lantern.  At  length  it  was 
seen  to  descend  slowly,  and  vanish  as  if  it  were  extinguished  in 
the  water. 

"  That  lantern  went  into  a  boat,  Captain  Ludlow,  though  a 
lubber  carried  it !  "  said  the  positive  old  forecastle-man,  shak 
ing  his  head,  and  beginning  to  pace  across  the  deck  with  the 
air  of  a  man  who  needed  no  further  confirmation  of  his  sus 
picions. 

Ludlow  returned  toward  the  quarter-deck,  thoughtful  but 
calm.  He  passed  among  h'is  sleeping  crew  without  awaking  a 
man,  even  forbearing  to  touch  the  still  motionless  midshipman, 
aird  he  entered  his  cabin  without  speaking. 

The  commander  of  the  Coquette  was  absent  but  a  few  min 
utes.  When  he  again  appeared  on  deck,  there  was  more  of  de 
cision  and  of  preparation  in  his  manner. 

"  'Tis  time  to  call  the  watch,  Mr.  Reef,"  he  whispered  at 
the  elbow  of  the  drowsy  officer  of  the  deck,  without  betray 
ing  his  consciousness  of  the  youth's  forgetfulness  of  duty. 
"  The  glass  is  out." 

"Ay,  ay,  sir. — Bear  a  hand,  and  turn  the  glass!"  mut 
tered  the  young  man.  "A  fine  night,  sir,  and  very  smooth 
water. — I  was  just  thinking  of — " 

"Home  and  thy  mother!  'Tis  the  way  with  us  all  in 
youth.  Well,  we  have  now  something  else  to  occupy  the 
thoughts.  Muster  all  the  gentlemen,  here,  on  the  quarter-deck, 
sir." 

When  the  half-sleeping  midshipman  quitted  his  captain  to 
obey  this  order,  the  latter  drew  near  the  spot  where  Trysail 
still  lay  in  an  unquiet  sleep.  A  light  touch  of  a  single  finger 
was  sufficient  to  raise  the  master  on  his  feet.  The  first  look 
of  the  veteran  tar  was  aloft,  the  second  at  the  heavens,  the 
last  at  his  captain. 

"  I  fear  thy  wound  stiffens,  and  that  the  night  air  has  added 
to  the  pain?"  observed  the  latter,  speaking  in  a  kind  and  con 
siderate  tone. 

"The  wounded  spar  cannot  be  trusted  like  a  sound  stick, 
Captain  Ludlow ;  but  as  I  am  no  foot-soldier  on  a  march,  the 


332  THE    WATER-WITCH 

duty  of  the    ship    may    go    on    without   my    calling  for   a 
horse." 

"  I  rejoice  in  thy  cheerful  spirit,  my  old  friend,  for  here 
is  serious  work  likely  to  fall  upon  our  hands.  The  French 
men  are  in  their  boats,  and  we  shall  shortly  be  brought  to 
close  quarters,  or  prognostics  are  false." 

' '  Boats !"  repeated  the  master.  "1  had  rather  it  were 
under  our  canvas  with  a  stiff  breeze  !  The  play  of  this  ship  is 
a  lively  foot,  and  a  touching  leach ;  but  when  it  comes  to 
boats,  a  marine  is  nearly  aS  good  a  man  as  a  quarter 
master  !  " 

"  We  must  take  fortune  as  it  offers. — Here  is  our  council  I 
— It  is  composed  of  young  heads,  but  of  hearts  that  might  do 
credit  to  gray  hairs." 

Ludlow  joined  the  little  group  of  officers  that  was  by  this 
time  assembled  near  the  capstan.  Here,  in  a  few  words,  he 
explained  the  reason  why  he  had  summoned  them  from  their 
sleep.  When  each  of  the  youths  understood  his  orders,  and 
the  nature  of  the  new  danger  that  threatened  the  ship,  they 
separated,  and  began  to  enter  with  activity,  but  in  guarded 
silence,  on  the  necessary  preparations.  The  sound  of  foot 
steps  awoke  a  dozen  of  the  older  seamen,  who  immediately 
joined  their  officers. 

Half  an  hour  passed  like  a  moment,  in  such  an  occupation. 
At  the  end  of  that  time,  Ludlow  deemed  his  ship  ready.  The 
two  forward  guns  had  been  run  in,  and  the  shot  having  been 
drawn,  their  places  were  supplied  with  double  charges  of  grape 
and  canister.  Several  swivels,  a  species  of  armament  much 
used  in  that  age,  were  loaded  to  the  muzzles,  and  placed  in 
situations  to  rake  the  deck,  while  the  foretop  was  plentifully 
stored  with  arms  and  ammunition.  The  matches  were  pre 
pared,  and  the  whole  of  the  crew  was  mustered,  by  a  particu 
lar  call  of  each  man.  Five  minutes  sufficed  to  issue  the 
necessary  orders,  and  to  see  each  post  occupied.  After  this, 
the  low  hum  ceased  in  the  ship,  and  the  silence  again  be 
came  so  deep  and  general  that  the  wash  of  the  receding  sur? 
was  nearly  as  audible  as  the  plunge  of  the  wave  on  the  sands. 

Ludlow  stood  on  the  forecastle,  accompanied  by  the  master 
Here  he  lent  all  his  senses  to  the  appearance  of  the  element* 
and  to  the  signs  of  the  moment.  Wind  there  was  none , 
though  occasionally  a  breath  of  hot  air  came  from  the  land, 
like  the  first  efforts  of  the  night-breeze.  The  heavens  wer« 
clouded,  though  a  few  thoughtful  stars  glimmered 
ths  masses  of  vapor, 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  33 f 

<{A  calmer  night  never  shut  in  the  Americas !"  said  thr 
reteran  Trysail,  shaking  his  head  doubtingly  and  speaking  in  2 
cautious  tone.  "  I  am  one  of  those,  Captain  Ludlow,  wiie 
think  more  than  half  the  virtue  is  out  of  a  ship  when  he» 
anchor  is  down  !  " 

"  With  a  weakened  crew,  it  may  be  better  for  us  that  the 
people  have  no  yards  to  handle  nor  any  bowlines  to  steady. 
All  our  care  can  be  given  to  defence." 

"This  is  much  like  telling  the  hawk  he  can  fight  the  better 
with  a  clipped  wing,  since  he  has  not  the  trouble  of  flying! 
The  nature  of  a  ship  is  motion,  and  the  merit  of  a  seaman  is 
judicious  and  lively  handling ;  but  of  what  use  is  complain 
ing,  since  it  will  neither  lift  an  anchor  nor  fill  a  sail  !  What 
is  your  opinion,  Captain  Ludlow,  concerning  an  after-life, 
and  of  all  those  matters  one  occasionally  hears  of  if  he  happens 
to  drift  in  the  way  of  a  church  ?  " 

"  The  question  is  broad  as  the  ocean,  my  good  friend, 
and  a  fitting  answer  might  lead  us  into  abstrusities  deeper  than 
any  problem  in  our  trigonometry. — Was  that  the  stroke  of  an 
oar?" 

"  'Twas  a  land-noise.  Well,  I  am  no  great  navigator 
among  the  crooked  channels  of  religion.  Every  new  argu 
ment  is  a  sand-bar,  or  a  shoal,  that  obliges  me  to  tack  and 
stand  off  again;  else  I  might  have  been  a  bishop  for  any  thing 
the  world  knows  to  the  contrary.  'Tis  a  gloomy  night,  Cap 
tain  Ludlow,  and  one  that  is  sparing  of  its  stars.  I  never 
knew  luck  come  of  an  expedition  on  which  a  natural  light  did 
not  fall!" 

"So  much  the  worse  for  those  who  seek  to  harm  us. — I 
•urely  heard  an  oar  in  the  rowlock  !  " 

"It  came  from  the  shore,  and  had  the  sound  of  the  land 
about  it,"  quietly  returned  the  master,  who  still  kept  his  look 
riveted  on  the  heavens.  "  This  world  in  which  we  live,  Cap 
tain  Ludlow,  is  one  of  extraordinary  uses ;  but  that,  to 
which  we  are  steering,  is  still  more  unaccountable.  They  say 
that  worlds  are  sailing  above  us  like  ships  in  a  clear  sea  ;  and 
there  are  people  who  believe  that,  when  we  take  our  departure 
from  this  planet,  we  are  only  bound  to  another,  in  which  we 
are  to  be  rated  according  to  our  own  deeds  here ;  which  is 
much  the  same  as  being  drafted  for  a  new  ship  with  a  certifi 
cate  of  service  in  one's  pocket." 

*'  The  resemblance  is  perfect,"  returned  the  other,  leaning 
far  over  a  timber-head  to  catch  the  smallest  sound  that  might 


334  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

come  from  the  ocean. — "  That  was  no  more  than  the  blowing 
of  a  porpoise  !  " 

« « It  was  strong  enough  for  the  puff  of  a  whale.  There  is 
no  scarcity  of  big  fish  on  the  coast  of  this  island,  and  bold 
harpooners  are  the  men  who  are  scattered  about  on  the  sandy 
downs,  here-away,  to  the  northward.  I  once  sailed  with  an 
officer  who  knew  the  name  of  every  star  in  the  heavens,  and 
often  have  I  passed  hours  in  listening  to  his  history  of  their 
magnitude  a  character,  during  the  middle  watches.  It  was  his 
opinion  that  there  is  but  one  navigator  for  all  the  rovers  of  the 
air,  whether  meteors,  comets,  or  planets." 

"  No  doubt  he  must  be  right,  having  been  there." 

"  No,  that  is  more  than  I  can  say  for  him,  though  few  men 
have  gone  deeper  into  the  high  latitudes  on  both  sides  of 
our  own  equator,  than  he. — One  surely  spoke — here,  in  a  line 
with  yonder  low  star  !  " 

"  Was  it  not  a  water- fowl  ?  " 

"No  gull — ha!  here  we  have  the  object,  just  within  the 
starboard  jibboom-guy.  There  comes  the  Frenchman  in  his 
pride,  and  'twill  be  lucky  for  him  who  lives  to  count  the  slain, 
or  to  boast  of  his  deeds  !  " 

The  master  descended  from  the  forecastle,  and  passed 
among  the  crew,  with  every  thought  recalled  from  its  ex 
cursive  flight,  to  the  duty  of  the  moment.  Ludlow  continued 
on  the  forecastle  alone.  There  was  a  low,  whispering  sound 
in  the  ship,  like  that  which  is  made  by  the  murmuring  of  a 
rising  breeze,  then  all  was  still  as  death. 

The  Coquette  lay  with  her  head  to  seaward,  the  stern 
necessarily  pointing  toward  the  land.  The  distance  from  the 
latter  was  less  than  a  mile,  and  the  direction  of  the  ship's 
hull  was  caused  by  the  course  of  the  heavy  ground-swell,  which 
incessantly  rolled  the  waters  on  the  wide  beach  of  the  island. 
The  head-gear  lay  in  the  way  of  the  dim  view  ;  and  Ludlow 
walked  out  on  the  bowsprit,  in  order  that  nothing  should  lie 
between  him  and  the  part  of  the  ocean  he  wished  to  study. 
Here  he  had  not  stood  a  minute  when  he  caught,  first  a  con 
fused  and  then  a  more  distinct  glimpse  of  a  line  of  dark  ob 
jects,  advancing  slowly  toward  the  ship.  Assured  of  the  posi 
tion  of  his  enemy,  he  returned  in-board  and  descended  among 
his  people.  In  another  moment  he  was  again  on  the  fore 
castle,  across  which  he  paced  leisurely,  and,  to  all  appearance 
with  the  calmness  of  one  who  enjoyed  the  refreshing  coolness 
of  the  night. 

At  the   distance  of  a   hundred  fathoms,  the  dusky  line  of 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  13$ 

boats  paused  and  began  to  change  its  order.  At  that  instant 
the  first  puffs  of  the  land  breeze  were  felt,  and  the  stern  of  the 
ship  made  a  gentle  inclination  seaward. 

"  Help  her  with  the  mizzen  !  Let  fall  the  top-sail  !  "  whis 
pered  the  young  captain  to  those  beneath  him.  Ere  another 
moment  the  flap  of  the  loosened  sail  was  heard.  The  ship 
swung  still  farther,  and  Ludlow  stamped  on  the  deck. 

A  round,  fiery  light  shot  beyond  the  martingale,  and  the 
smoke  rolled  along  the  sea,  out-stripped  by  a  crowd  of  missiles 
that  were  hissing  across  the  water.  A  shout,  in  which  com 
mand  was  mingled  with  shrieks,  followed,  and  oar-blades  were 
heard  dashmg  the  water  aside  regardless  of  concealment.  The 
ocean  lighted,  and  three  or  four  boat-guns  returned  the  fatal 
discharge  from  the  ship.  Ludlow  had  not  spoken.  Still  alone 
on  his  elevated  and  exposed  post,  he  watched  the  effects  of 
both  fires  with  a  commander's  coolness.  The  smile  that  strug 
gled  about  his  compressed  mouth,  when  the  momentary  con 
fusion  among  the  boats  betrayed  the  success  of  his  own  attack, 
had  been  wild  and  exulting  ;  but  when  he  heard  the  rending 
of  the  plank  beneath  him,  the  heavy  groans  that  succeeded, 
and  the  rattling  of  lighter  objects  that  were  scattered  by  the 
shot  as  it  passed  with  lessened  force  along  the  deck  of  his  ship, 
it  became  fierce  and,  resentful. 

"Let  them  have  it!"  he  shouted,  in  a  clear,  animating 
voice  that  assured  the  people  of  his  presence  and  his  care. 
"  Show  them  the  humor  of  an  Englishman's  sleep,  my  lads  ! 
tfpeak  to  them,  tops  and  decks  !  " 

The  order  was  obeyed.  The  remaining  bow-gun  was  fired, 
and  the  discharge  of  all  the  Coquette's  musketry  and  blunder 
busses  followed.  A  crowd  of  boats  came  sweeping  under  the 
bowsprit  of  the  ship  at  the  same  moment,  when  there  arose 
the  clamor  and  shouts  of  the  boarders. 

The  succeeding  minutes  were  full  of  confusion,  and  of  de 
voted  exertion.  Twice  were  the  head  and  bowsprit  of  the  ship 
filled  with  dark  groups  of  men,  whose  grim  visages  were  only 
visible  by  the  pistol's  flash  ;  as  often  were  they  cleared  by  the 
pike  and  bayonet.  A  third  effort  was  more  successful,  and  the 
tread  of  the  assailants  was  heard  on  the  deck  of  the  forecastle. 
The  struggle  was  but  momentary,  though  many  fell,  and  the 
narrow  arena  was  soon  slippery  with  blood.  The  Boulognese 
mariner  was  foremost  among  his  countrymen,  and  at  that  des 
perate  emergency  Ludlow  and  Trysail  fpught  in  the  common 
herd.  Numbers  prevailed  ;  and  it  was  fortunate  for  the  com 
mander  of  the  Coquette,  that  the  sudden  recoil  of  a  human 


536  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

body  that  fell  upon  him,  drove  him  from  his  footing  to  the 

deck  beneath. 

Recovering  from  the  fall,  the  young  captain  cheered  his  men 
by  his  voice  and  was  answered  by  the  deep-mouthed  shouts 
which  an  excited  seaman  is  ever  ready  to  deliver,  even  to  the 
death. 

"  Rally  in  the  gangways,  and  defy  them  !  "  was  the  ani 
mated  cry — "rally  in  the  gangways,  hearts  of  oak,"  was  re 
turned  by  Trysail,  in  a  ready  but  weakened  voice.  The  men 
obeyed,  and  Ludlow  saw  that  he  could  still  muster  a  force  ca 
pable  of  resistance. 

±k)th  parties  for  a  moment  paused.  The  fire  of  the  top  an 
noyed  the  boarders,  and  the  defendants  hesitated  to  advance. 
But  the  rush  from  both  was  common  and  a  fierce  encounter  oc 
curred  at  the  foot  of  the  foremast.  The  crowd  thickened  in 
the  rear  of  the  French,  and  one  of  their  number  no  sooner 
fell  than  another  filled  his  place.  The  English  receded,  and 
Ludlow,  extricating  himself  from  the  mass,  retired  to  the 
quarter-deck. 

"  Give  way,  men  !  "  he  again  shouted,  so  clear  and  steady 
as  to  be  heard  above  the  cries  and  execrations  of  the  fight. 
"Into  the  wings;  down,  between  the  guns — down — to  your 
covers  !  " 

The  English  disappeared,  as  if  Dy  magic.  Some  leaped 
upon  the  ridge-ropes,  others  sought  the  protection  of  the  guns, 
and  many  went  through  the  hatches.  At  that  moment  Ludlow 
made  his  most  desperate  effort.  Aided  by  the  gunner,  he  ap 
plied  matches  to  the  two  swivels,  which  had  been  placed  in 
readiness  for  a  last  resort.  The  deck  was  enveloped  in  smoke, 
and,  when  the  vapor  lifted,  the  forward  part  of  the  ship  was 
as  clear  as  if  man  had  never  trodden  it.  All  who  had  not 
fallen  had  vanished. 

A  shout,  and  a  loud  hurrah,  brought  back  the  defendants, 
and  Ludlow  headed  a  charge  upon  the  top-gallant-forecastle, 
again,  in  person.  A  few  of  the  assailants  showed  themselves 
from  behind  covers  on  the  deck,  and  the  struggle  was  renewed. 
Glaring  balls  of  fire  sailed  over  the  heads  of  the  combatants 
and  fell  among  the  throng  in  the  rear.  Ludlow  saw  the  dan 
ger,  and  he  endeavored  to  urge  his  people  on  to  regain  the 
bow-guns,  one  of  which  was  known  to  be  loaded.  But  the 
explosion  of  a  grenade  on  deck,  and  in  his  rear,  was  followed 
by  a  shock  in  the  hold,  that  threatened  to  force  the  bottom 
out  of  the  vessel.  The  alarmed  and  weakened  crew  began  to 
*raver ;  and  as  a  fresh  attack  c»f  grenades  was  followed  by  a 


THE   WATER-WITCH.  337 

fierce  rally,  in  which  the  assailants  brought  up  fifty  men  in  a 
body  from  their  boats,  Ludlow  found  himself  compelled  to  re 
tire  amid  the  retreating  mass  of  his  own  crew. 

The  defence  now  assumed  the  character  of  hopeless  but  des 
perate  resistance.  The  cries  of  the  enemy  were  more  and  more 
clamorous  ;  and  they  succeeded  in  nearly  silencing  the  top,  by 
a  heavy  fire  of  musketry  established  on  the  bowsprit  and  sprit- 
sail-yard. 

Events  passed  much  faster  than  they  can  be  related.  The 
enemy  were  in  possession  of  all  the  forward  part  of  the  ship 
to  her  fore-hatches,  but  into  these  young  Hopper  had  thrown 
himself  with  half  a  dozen  men,  and,  aided  by  a  brother  mid 
shipman  in  the  launch,  backed  by  a  few  followers,  they  still 
held  the  assailants  at  bay.  Ludlow  cast  an  eye  behind  him,, 
and  began  to  think  of  selling  his  life  as  dearly  as  possible  in. 
the  cabins.  That  glance  was  arrested  by  the  sight  of  the 
malign  smile  of  the  sea-green  lady,  as  the  gleaming  face  rose 
above  the  taffrail.  A  dozen  dark  forms  leaped  upon  the  poop, 
and  then  arose  a  voice  that  sent  every  tone  it  uttered  to  his 
heart. 

"  Abide  the  shock  !  "  was  the  shout  of  those  who  came  to 
the  succor ;  and  "  abide  the  shock  1  "  was  echoed  by  the  crew. 
The  mysterious  image  glided  along  the  deck,  and  Ludlow 
knew  the  athletic  frame  that  brushed  through  the  throng  at  its 
side. 

There  was  little  noise  in  the  onset,  save  the  groans  of  the 
sufferers.  It  endured  but  a  moment,  but  it  was  a  moment  that 
resembled  the  passage  of  a  whirlwind.  The  defendants  knew 
that  they  were  succored,  and  the  assailants  recoiled  before  so 
unexpected  a  foe.  The  few  that  were  caught  beneath  the  fore 
castle  were  mercilessly  slain,  and  those  above  were  swept  from 
their  post  like  chaff  drifting  in  a  gale.  The  living  and  the 
dead  were  heard  falling  into  the  sea,  and,  in  an  inconceivably 
short  space  of  time,  the  decks  of  the  Coquette  were  free.  A 
solitary  enemy  still  hesitated  on  the  bowsprit.  A  powerful 
and  active  frame  leaped  along  the  spar,  and  though  the  blow- 
was  not  seen,  its  effects  were  visible,  as  the  victim  tumbled 
helplessly  into  the  ocean. 

The  hurried  dash  of  oars  followed,  and  before  the  defend 
ants  had  time  to  assure  themselves  of  the  completeness  of  theb 
success,  the  gloomy  void  of  the  surrounding  ocean  had  swai« 
lowed  up  the  boats. 
22 


338  THE    WATER-WITCH. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

*•  That  face  of  his  I  do  remember  well ; 
Yet,  when  I  saw  it  last,  it  was  besmeared 
As  black  as  Vulcan,  in  the  smoke  of  war." 

TWELFTH  NIGHT. 

FROM  the  moment  when  the  Coquette  fired  her  first  gun,  to 
the  moment  when  the  retiring  boats  became  invisible,  was  just 
twenty  minutes.  Of  this  time,  less  than  half  had  been  occu 
pied  by  the  incidents  related  in  the  ship.  Short  as  it  was  in 
truth,  it  seemed  to  all  engaged  but  an  instant.  The  alarm  was 
over,  the  sound  of  the  oars  had  ceased,  and  still  the  survivors 
stood  at  their  posts  as  if  expecting  the  attack  to  be  renewed. 
Then  came  those  personal  thoughts,  which  had  been  suspended 
in  the  fearful  exigency  of  such  a  struggle.  The  wounded  be 
gan  to  feel  their  pain,  and  to  be  sensible  of  the  danger  of  their 
injuries;  while  the  few,  who  had  escaped  unhurt,  turned  a 
friendly  care  on  their  shipmates.  Ludlow,  as  often  happens 
with  the  bravest  and  most  exposed,  had  escaped  without  a 
scratch;  but  he  saw  by  the  drooping  forms  around  him,  which 
were  no  longer  sustained  by  the  excitement  of  battle,  that  his 
triumph  was  dearly  purchased. 

"Send  Mr.  Trysail  to  me,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  that  had  little 
of  a  victor's  exultation.  "  The  land-breeze  has  made,  and  we 
will  endeavor  to  improve  it,  and  get  inside  the  cape,  lest  the 
morning  light  give  us  more  ot  these  Frenchmen." 

The  order  for  "Mr.  Trysail!"  "The  captain  calls  the 
master !  "  passed  in  a  low  call  from  mouth  to  mouth,  but  it 
was  unanswered.  A  seaman  told  the  expecting  yopng  com 
mander  that  the  surgeon  desired  his  presence  forjvard.  A 
gleaming  of  lights  and  a  little  group  at  the  foot  of  the  foremast 
was  a  beacon  not  to  be  mistaken.  The  weather-beaten  master 
was  in  agony ;  and  his  medical  attendant  had  just  risen  from  a 
fruitless  examination  of  his  wounds,  as  Ludlow  approached. 

'*  I  hope  the  hurt  is  not  serious  ?  "  hurriedly  whispered  the 
alarmed  young  sailor  to  the  surgeon,  who  was  coolly  collecting 
his  implements,  in  order  to  administer  to  some  more  promis 
ing  subject.  "  Neglect  nothing  that  your  art  can  suggest." 

"The  case  is  desperate,   Captain  Ludlow,"  returned   the 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  331 

surgeon  ;  "  but  if  you  have  a  taste  for  such  things 
there  is  as  beautiful  a  case  for  amputation  promised  in  the 
foretop-man  whom  I  have  had  sent  below,  as  offers  once  in  a 
whole  life  of  active  practice  !  " 

"  Go,  go — •"  interrupted  Ludlow,  half  pushing  the  unmoved 
man  of  blood  away,  as  he  spoke;  "go,  then,  where  youf 
services  are  needed." 

The  other  cast  a  glance  around  him,  reproved  his  attendant, 
in  a  sharp  tone,  for  unnecessarily  exposing  the  blade  of  some 
ierocious -looking  instrument  to  the  dew,  and  departed. 

"  Would  to  God  that  some  portion  of  these  injuries  had  be 
fallen  those  who  are  younger  and  stronger !"  murmured  the 
captain,  as  he  learned  over  the  dying  master.  "  Can  I  do 
aught  to  relieve  thy  mind,  my  old  and  worthy  shipmate?  " 

I  have  had  my  misgivings,  since  we  have  dealt  with  witch 
craft  !  "  returned  Trysail,  whose  voice  the  rattling  of  the 
throat  had  already  nearly  silenced  ;  "  I  have  had  misgivings 
— but  no  matter.  Take  care  of  the  ship — I  have  been  think 
ing  of  our  people — you'll  have  to  cut — they  can  never  lift  the 
anchor — the  wind  is  here  at  north.'* 

"All  this  is  ordered.  Trouble  thyself  no  further  about  the 
vessel ;  she  shall  be  taken  care  of,  I  promise  you.  Speak  of 
thy  wife,  and  of  thy  wishes  in  England." 

"  God  bless  Mrs.  Trysail  !  She'll  get  a  pension,  and  I  hope 
contentment !  You  must  give  the  reef  a  good  berth,  in  round 
ing  Montauk — and  you'll  naturally  wish  to  find  the  anchors 
again  when  the  coast  is  clear — if  you  can  find  it  in  your  con 
science,  say  a  good  word  of  poor  old  Ben  Trysail,  in  the  dis 
patches — " 

The  voice  of  the  master  sank  to  a  whisper,  and  became  in 
audible.  Ludlow  thought  he  strove  to  speak  again,  and  he 
bent  his  ear  to  his  mouth. 

«1  say — the  weather-main-swifter  and  both  backstays  are 
gone;  look  to  the  spars,  for — for — there  are  sometimes — 
heavy  puffs  at  night — in  the  Americas  !  " 

The  last  heavy  respiration  succeeded,  after  which  came  the 
long  silence  of  death.  The  body  was  removed  to  the  poop, 
and  Ludlow,  with  a  saddened  heart,  turned  to  duties  that  this 
accident  rendered  still  more  imperative. 

Notwithstanding  the  heavy  loss,  and  the  originally  weakened 
state  of  her  crew,  the  sails  of  the  Coquette  were  soon  spread, 
and  the  ship  moved  away  in  silence,  as  if  sorrowing  for  those 
who  had  fallen  at  her  anchorage.  When  the  vessel  was  fairly 
in  motion,  her  captain  ascended  to  the  poop,  in  order  to  com- 


340  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

mand  a  clearer  view  of  all  around  him,  as  well  as  to  prult  by 
the  situation  to  arrange  his  plans  for  the  future.  He  found  ht 
hafi  been  anticipated  by  the  free-trader. 

"  I  owe  my  ship  —  I  may  say  my  life,  since  in  such  a  con 
flict  they  would  have  gone  together,  to  thy  succor  !  "  said  the 
young  commander,  as  he  approached  the  motionless  form  of 
the  smuggler.  "  Without  it,  Queen  Anne  would  have  lost  a 
cruiser,  and  the  flag  of  England  a  portion  of  its  well-earned 
glory." 

"  May  thy  royal  mistress  prove  as  ready  to  remember  her 
friends  in  emergencies  as  mine.  In  good  truth,  there  was  lit 
tle  time  to  lose,  and,  trust  me,  we  well  understood  the  ex 
tremity.  If  we  were  tardy,  it  was  because  whale-boats  were 
to  be  brought  from  a  distance  ;  for  the  land  lies  between  my 
brigantine  and  the  sea." 

"  He  who  came  so  opportunely,  and  acted  so  well,  needs  no 
apology." 

"  Captain  Ludlow,  are  we  friends?  " 

"  It  cannot  be  otherwise.  All  minor  considerations  must  bfl 
lost  in  such  a  service.  If  it  is  your  intention  to  push  this  il 
legal  trade  further  on  the  coast,  I  must  seek  another  station." 

11  Not  so.  Remain,  and  do  credit  to  your  flag  and  the  land 
of  your  birth.  I  have  long  thought  this  is  the  last  time  the 
keel  of  the  Water-Witch  will  ever  plow  the  American  seas. 
Before  I  quit  you,  I  would  have  an  interview  with  the  mer 
chant.  A  worse  man  might  have  fallen,  and  just  now  even  a 
better  man  might  be  spared.  I  hope  no  harm  has  come  to 


"He  has  shown  the  steadiness  of  his  Holland  lineage  to« 
day.  During  the  boarding  he  was  useful  and  cool." 

"It  is  well.  Let  the  alderman  be  summoned  to  the  deck, 
for  my  time  is  limited,  and  I  have  much  to  say  —  " 

The  Skimmer  paused,  for  at  that  moment  a  fierce  light 
glared  upon  the  ocean,  the  ship,  and  all  in  it.  The  two 
seamen  gazed  at  each  other  in  silence,  and  recoiled,  as  men 
recede  before  an  unexpected  and  fearful  attack.  But  a 
bright  and  wavering  light,  which  rose  out  of  the  forward 
hatch  of  the  vessel,  explained  all.  At  the  same  moment, 
the  deep  stillness  which,  since  the  bustle  of  making  sail  had 
ceased,  pervaded  the  ship,  was  broken  by  the  appalling  cry 
of  "Fire!" 

The  alarm  which  brings  the  blood  in  the  swiftest  current  to 
a  seaman's  heart,  was  now  heard  in  the  depths  of  the  ves 
sel.  The  smothered  sounds  below,  the  advancing  uproar, 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  341 

and  the  rush  on  deck,  with  the  awful  summons  in  the  open 
air,  succeeded  each  other  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning.  A 
dozen  voices  repeated  the  word  "The  grenade  !  "  proclaim 
ing  in  a  breath  both  the  danger  and  the  cause.  But  an  in 
stant  before,  the  swelling  canvas,  the  dusky  spars,  and  the 
faint  lines  of  the  cordage,  were  only  to  be  traced  by  the 
glimmering  light  of  the  stars;  now  the  whole  hamper  of  the 
ship  was  the  more  conspicuous,  from  the  obscure  background 
against  which  it  was  drawn  in  distinct  lines.  The  sight  was 
fearfully  beautiful  —  beautiful,  for  it  showed  the  symmetry  and 
tine  outlines  of  the  vessel's  rig,  resembling  the  effect  of  a 
group  of  statuary  seen  by  torch-light  —  fearful,  since  the  dark 
void  beyond  seemed  to  declare  their  isolated  and  helpless 
state. 

There  was  one  breathless,  eloquent  moment  in  which  all 
were  gating  at  the  grand  spectacle  in  mute  awe  —  then  a  voice 
rose,  cteir,  distinct,  and  commanding,  above  the  sullen  sound 
of  the  firrent  of  fire,  which  was  roaring  among  the  avenues 
of  the  s1  ip. 

"  Calv  all  hands  to  extinguish  fire  !  Gentlemen,  to  your 
stations.  Be  cool,  men  ;  and  be  silent  !  " 

There  ^as  a  calmness  and  an  authority  in  the  tones  of  the 
young  commander,  that  curbed  the  impetuous  feelings  of  the 
startled  c*  ew.  Accustomed  to  obedience,  and  trained  to  order, 
each  mar  woke  out  of  his  trance  and  eagerly  commenced  the 
discharge  of  his  alloted  duty.  At  that  instant,  an  erect  and 
unmoved  form  stood  on  the  coamings  of  the  main  hatch.  A 
hand  w?  \  raised  in  the  air,  and  the  call  which  came  from  the 
deep  chrst  was  like  that  of  one  used  to  speak  in  the  tempest. 

"  Wh^re  are  my  brigantines  ?  "  it  said.  —  "Come  away 
there,  my  sea-dogs  ;  wet  the  light  sails,  and  follow  !  " 

A  tfroup  °f  grave  and  submissive  mariners  gathered  about 
the  "Skimmer  of  the  Seas,"  at  the  sound  of  his  voice. 
Glancing  an  eye  over  them,  as  if  to  scan  their  quality  and 
number,  he  smiled  with  a  look  in  which  high  daring  and  prac 
tised  seV  command  were  blended  with  a  constitutional  gaiti  de 


"  On<  deck  or  two  !  "  —  he  added  ;  "  what  avails  a  plank 
more  or  less,  in  an  explosion?  —  Follow  !  " 

The  tvee-trader  and  his  people  disappeared  in  the  interior  of 
the  ship,  An  .interval  of  great  and  resolute  exertion  suc 
ceeded.  Blankets,  sails,  and  everything  which  offered,  and 
which  y  )mised  to  be  of  use,  were  wetted  and  cast  upon  the 
flames.  The  engine  was  brought  to  bear,  and  the  ship  was 


3  2  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

dt  uged  with  water  But  the  confined  space,  with  the  heat 
and  smoke,  rendered  .it  impossible  to  penetrate  to  those  parts 
of  the  vessel  where  the  conflagration  raged.  The  ardor  of 
the  men  abated  as  hope  lessened ;  and,  after  half  an  hour  of 
fruitless  exertion,  Ludlow  saw  with  pain  that  his  assistants 
began  tc  yield  to  the  inextinguishable  principle  of  Nature. 
The  appearance  of  the  Skimmer  on  deck,  followed  by  all 
his  people,  destroyed  hope,  and  every  effort  ceased  as  sud 
denly  as  it  had  commenced. 

"  Think  of  your  wounded,"  whispered  the  free-trader,  with 
a  steadiness  no  danger  could  disturb.  "  We  stand  on  a  rag 
ing  volcano  !  '* 

•'I  have  ordered  the  gunner  to  drown  the  magazine." 

'  *  He  was  too  late.  The  hold  of  the  ship  is  a  fiery  furnace. 
I  heard  him  fall  among  the  store-rooms,  and  it  surpassed  the 
power  of  man  to  give  the  wretch  succor.  The  grenade  ha? 
fallen  near  some  combustibles,  and,  painful  as  it  is  to  part  with 
a  ship  so  loved,  Ludlow,  thou  wilt  meet  the  loss  like  a  man ! 
Think  of  thy  wounded  ;  my  boats  are  still  hanging  at  the 
stern." 

Ludlow  reluctantly  but  firmly  gave  the  order  to  bear  the 
wounded  to  the  boats.  This  was  an  arduous  and  delicate  duty. 
The  smallest  boy  in  the  ship  knew  the  whole  extent  of  the 
danger,  and  that  a  moment,  by  the  explosion  of  the  powder, 
might  precipitate  them  all  into  eternity.  The  deck  forward 
was  getting  too  hot  to  be  endured,  and  there  were  places  even 
in  which  the  beams  had  given  symptoms  of  yielding. 

But  the  poop,  elevated  still  above  the  fire,  offered  a  momen 
tary  refuge.  Thither  all  retired,  while  the  weak  and  wounded 
were  lowered,  with  the  caution  circumstances  would  permit, 
into  the  whale-boats  of  the  smugglers. 

Ludlow  stood  at  one  ladder  and  the  free-trader  at  the  other, 
in  order  to  be  certain  that  none  proved  recreant  in  so  trying  a 
moment.  Near  them  were  Alida,  Seadrift,  and  the  alderman, 
with  the  attendants  of  the  former. 

It  seemed  an  age  before  this  humane  and  tender  duty  was 
performed.  At  length  the  cry  of  "  All  in  !  "  was  uttered,  in 
a  manner  to  betray  the  extent  of  the  self-command  that  had 
been  necessary  to  effect  it. 

"  Now,  Alida,  we  may  think  of  thee  !  "  said  Ludlow,  turn 
ing  to  the  spot  occupied  by  the  silent  heiress. 

"  And  you  !  "  she  said,  hesitating  to  move. 

"  Duty  demands  that  I  should  be  the  last — " 

A  sharp  explosion  beneath,  and  fragments  of  fire  flying  up* 


THE    WATER-WITCH,      ,  343 

ward  through  a  hatch,  interrupted  his  words.  Plunges  into 
the  sea,  and  a  rush  of  the  people  to  the  boats,  followed.  All 
order  and  authority  were  completely  los.t,  in  the  instinct  of 
life.  In  vain  did  Ludlow  call  on  his  men  to  be  cool,  and  to 
wait  for  those  who  were  still  above.  His  words  were  lost,  in 
the  uproar  of  clamorous  voices.  For  a  moment  it  seemed, 
however,  as  if  the  "Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  would  overcome 
the  confusion.  Throwing  himself  on  a  ladder,  he  glided  into 
the  bows  of  one  of  the  boats,  and,  holding  by  the  ropes  with 
a  vigorous  arm,  he  resisted  the  efforts  of  all  the  oars  and  boat- 
hooks,  while  he  denounced  destruction  on  him  who  dared  to 
quit  the  ship.  Had  not  the  two  crews  been  mingled,  the  high 
authority  and  determined  mien  of  the  free-trader  would  have 
prevailed  ;  but,  while  some  were  disposed  to  obey,  others  raised 
a  cry  of  "  Throw  the  dealer  in  witchcraft  into  the  sea !  " 
Boat-hooks  were  already  pointed  at  his  breast,  and  the  horrors 
of  the  fearful  moment  were  about  to  be  increased  by  the  vio 
lence  of  a  mutinous  contention,  when  a  second  explosion 
nerved  the  arms  of  the  rowers  to  madness.  With  a  common 
and  desperate  effort,  they  overcame  all  resistance.  Swinging 
off  upon  the  ladder,  the  furious  seaman  saw  the  boat  glide  from 
his  grasp,  and  depart.  The  execration  that  was  uttered,  be 
neath  the  stern  of  the  Coquette,  was  deep  and  powerful ;  but, 
in  another  moment,  the  Skimmer  stood  on  the  poop,  calm  and 
undejected,  in  the  centre  of  the  deserted  group. 

"The  explosion  of  a  few  of  the  officers'  pistols  has  fright 
ened  the  miscreants,"  he  said  cheerfully.  "But  hope  is  not 
yet  lost ! — They  linger  in  the  distance,  and  may  return  !  " 

The  sight  of  the  helpless  party  on  the  poop,  and  the  con 
sciousness  of  being  less  exposed  themselves,  had  indeed 
arrested  the  progress  of  the  fugitives.  Still,  selfishness  pre 
dominated  ;  and,  while  most  regretted  their  danger,  none  but 
the  young  and  unheeded  midshipmen,  who  were  neither  of  an 
age  nor  of  a  rank  to  wield  sufficient  authority,  proposed  to  re 
turn.  There  was  little  argument  necessary  to  show  that  the 
perils  increased  at  each  moment ;  and,  finding  that  no  other 
expedient  remained,  the  gallant  youths  encouraged  the  men  to 
pull  toward  the  land,  intending  themselves  to  return  instantly 
to  the  assistance  of  their  commander  and  his  friends.  The 
oars  dashed  into  the  water  again,  and  the  retiring  boats  were 
soon  lost  to  view  in  the  body  of  darkness. 

While  the  fire  had  been  raging  within,  another  element 
without  had  aided  to  lessen  hope  for  those  who  were  aban 
doned.  The  wind  from  the  land  had  continued  to  rise,  and, 


344  T&&    WATER-WITCH 

during  the  time  lost  in  useless  exertion,  the  ship  had  been  per 
mitted  to  run  nearly  before  it.  When  hope  was  gone,  the 
4elm  had  been  deserted,  and,  as  all  the  lower  sails  had  been 
hauled  up  to  avoid  the  flames,  the  vessel  had  drifted  many 
minutes  nearly  dead  to  leeward.  The  mistaken  youths,  who 
had  not  attended  to  these  circumstances,  were  already  miles 
from  that  beach  they  hoped  to  reach  so  soon ;  and,  ere  the 
boats  had  separated  from  the  ship  five  minutes,  they  were 
hopelessly  asunder.  Ludlovv  had  early  thought  of  the  expedi 
ent  of  stranding  the  vessel  as  the  means  of  saving  her  people ; 
but  his  better  knowledge  of  their  position  soon  showed  him 
the  utter  futility  of  the  attempt. 

Of  the  progress  of  the  flames  beneath,  the  mariners  could 
only  judge  by  circumstances.  The  Skimmer  glanced  his  eye 
about  him,  on  regaining  the  poop,  and  appeared  to  ?can  the 
amount  and  quality  of  the  physical  force  that  was  still  at  their 
disposal.  He  saw  that  the  alderman,  the  faithful  Francois, 
and  two  of  his  own  seamen,  with  four  of  the  petty  officers  of 
the  ship,  remained.  The  six  latter,  even  in  that  moment  of 
desperation,  had  calmly  refused  to  desert  their  officers. 

"The  flames  are  in  the  state-rooms!"  he  whispered  to 
Ludlow. 

"Not  farther  aft,  I  think,  than  the  berths  of  the  midship 
men — else  we  should  heaj  more  pistols." 

i  <  True — they  are  fearful  signals  to  let  us  know  the  progress 
of  the  fire  ! — our  resource  is  a  raft." 

Ludlow  looked  as  if  he  despaired  of  the  means,  but,  con 
cealing  the  discouraging  fear,  he  answered  cheerfully  in  the 
affirmative.  The  orders  were  instantly  given,  and  all  on 
board  gave  themselves  to  the  task,  heart  and  hand.  The 
danger  was  one  that  admitted  of  no  ordinary  or  half-conceived 
expedients  ;  but,  in  such  an  emergency,  it  required  all  the 
readiness  of  their  art,  and  even  the  greatness  of  that  concep 
tion  which  is  the  property  of  genius.  All  distinctions  of  rank 
and  authority  had  ceased,  except  as  deference  was  paid  to 
natural  qualities  and  the  intelligence  of  experience.  lynder 
such  circumstances,  the  "Skimmer  of  the  Seas"  took  the 
lead ;  and  though  Ludlow  caught  his  ideas  w'nn  professional 
quickness,  it  was  the  mind  of  the  free-trader  that  controlled 
throughout,  the  succeeding  exertions  of  that  fearful  night. 

The  cheek  of  Alida  was  blanched  to  a  deadly  paleness  ;  but 
there  rested  about  the  bright  and  wild  eyes  of  Seadrift  an  ex 
pression  of  supernatural  resolution. 

When  the  crew  abandoned  the  hope  of  extinguishing  the 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  345 

flames,  they  closed  all  the  hatches,  to  retard  the  crisis  as 
much  as  possible.  Here  and  there,  however,  little  torch-like 
lights  were  beginning  to  show  themselves  through  the  planks, 
and  the  whole  deck  forward  of  the  main-mast  was  already  in 
a  critical  and  sinking  state.  One  or  two  of  the  beams 'had 
failed  ;  but,  as  yet,  the  form  of  the  construction  was  pre 
served.  Still  the  seamen  distrusted  the  treacherous  footing ; 
and,  had  the  heat  permitted  the  experiment,  they  would  have 
shrunk  from  a  risk  which  at  any  unexpected  moment  might 
commit  them  to  the  fiery  furnace  beneath. 

The  smoke  ceased,  and  a  clear,  powerful  light  illuminated 
the  ship  to  her  trucks.  In  consequence  of  the  care  and  exer 
tions  of  her  people,  the  sails  and  masts  were  yet  untouched ; 
and,  as  the  graceful  canvas  swelled  with  the  breeze,  it  still 
urged  the  blazing  hull  through  the  water. 

The  forms  of  the  Skimmer  and  his  assistants  were  visible, 
in  the  midst  of  the  gallant  gear,  perched  on  the  giddy  yards. 
Seen  by  that  light  with  his  peculiar  attire,  his  firm  and  certain 
step,  and  his  resolute  air,  the  free-trader  resembled  some  fan 
cied  sea-god,  who,  secure  in  his  immortal  immunities,  had 
•come  to  act  his  part,  in  that  awful  but  exciting  trial  of  hardi 
hood  and  skill.  Seconded  by  the  common  men,  he  was  em 
ployed  in  cutting  the  canvas  from  the  yards.  Sail  after  sail 
fell  upon  the  deck,  and,  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time, 
the  whole  of  the  foremast  was  naked  to  its  spars  and  rigging. 

In  the  mean  time,  Ludlow,  assisted  by  the  alderman  and 
Francois,  had  not  been  idle  below.  Passing  forward  between 
the  empty  ridge- ropes,  lanyard  after  lanyard  parted  under  the 
blows  of  their  little  boarding-axes.  The  mast  now  depended 
on  the  strength  of  the  wood  and  the  support  of  a  single  back 
stay. 

"Lay  down!"  shouted  Ludlow.  "All  is  gone  aft,  but 
this  stay  !" 

The  Skimmer  leaped  upon  the  firm  rope,  followed  by  all 
aloft,  and,  gliding  downward,  he  was  instantly  in  the  ham 
mock-cloths.  A  crash  followed  their  descent,  and  an  explo 
sion,  which  caused  the  whole  of  the  burning  fabric  to  tremble 
to  its  centre,  seemed  to  announce  the  end  of  all.  Even  the 
free-trader  recoiled  before  the  horrible  din ;  but,  when  he 
stood  near  Seadrift  and  the  heiress  again,  there  was  cheerful 
ness  in  his  tones,  and  a  look  of  high,  and  even  of  gay  resolu 
tion,  in  his  firm  countenance. 

"  The  deck  has  failed  forward,"  he  said,  "  and  our  artillery 
is  beginning  to  utter  fearful  signal-guns  !  Be  of  cheer ! — th« 


346  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

magazine  of  a  ship  lies  deep,  and  many  sheathed  bulkheads 
still  protect  us." 

Another  discharge  from  a  heated  gun,  however,  proclaimed 
the  rapid  progress  of  the  flames.  The  fire  broke  out  of  the 
interior  anew,  and  the  foremast  kindled. 

"  There  must  be  an  end  of  this  ! "  said  Alida,  clasping  her 
hands  in  a  terror  that  could  not  be  controlled.  "Save  your 
selves,  if  possible,  you  who  have  strength  and  courage,  and 
leave  us  to  the  mercy  of  Him  whose  eye  is  over  all !  " 

"  Go  !  "  added  Seadrift,  whose  sex  could  no  longer  be  con 
cealed.  "Human  courage  can  do  no  more;  leave  us  to 
die!" 

The  looks  that  were  returned  to  these  sad  requests  were 
melancholy,  but  unmoved.  The  Skimmer  caught  a  rope,  and, 
still  holding  it  in  his  hand,  he  descended  to  the  quarter-deck, 
on  which  he  at  first  trusted  his  weight  with  jealous  caution. 
Then,  looking  up,  he  smiled  encouragingly,  and  said,  "  Where 
a  gun  still  stands,  there  is  no  danger  for  the  weight  of  a 
man;" 

"It  is  our  only  resource,"  cried  Ludlow,  imitating  his  ex 
ample.  "  On,  my  men,  while  the  beams  will  still  hold  us.'" 

In  a  moment,  all  were  on  the  quarter-deck,  though  the  ex 
cessive  heat  rendered  it  impossible  to  remain  stationary  an  in 
stant.  A  gun  on  each  side  was  run  in,  its  tackles  loosened, 
and  its  muzzle  pointed  toward  the  tottering,  unsupported,  but 
Still  upright  foremast. 

"Aim  at  the  elects!"  said  Ludlow  to  the  Skimmer,  who 
pointed  one  gun,  while  he  did  the  same  office  at  the  other. 

"  Hold  !  "  cried  the  latter.  "  Throw  in  shot,  it  is  but  the 
chance  between  a  bursting  gun  and  a  lighted  magazine  !  " 

Additional  balls  were  introduced  into  each  piece,  and  then, 
with  steady  hands,  the  gallant  mariners  applied  burning 
brands  to  the  priming.  The  discharges  were  simultaneous, 
and  for  an  instant  volumes  of  smoke  rolled  along  the  deck 
and  seemed  to  triumph  over  the  conflagration.  The  rending 
of  wood  was  audible.  It  was  followed  by  a  sweeping  noise  in 
the  air,  and  the  fall  of  the  foremast,  with  all  its  burden  of 
spars,  into  the  sea.  The  motion  of  the  ship  was  instantly  ar 
rested,  and,  as  the  heavy  timbers  were  still  attached  to  the 
bowsprit  by  the  forward  stays,  her  head  came  to  the  wind, 
wften  the  remaining  top-sails  flapped,  shivered,  and  took 
aoack. 

The  vessel  was  now,  for  the  first  time  during  the  fire,  sta 
tionary.  The  common  mariners  profited  by  the  circumstance  j 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  347 

and,  darting  past  the  mounting  flame  along  the  bulwarks,  they 
gained  the  topgallant  forecastle,  which,  though  heated,  was 
yet  untouched.  The  Skimmer  glanced  an  eye  about  him,  and 
seizing  Seadrift  by  the  waist,  as  if  the  mimic  seaman  had 
been  a  child,  he  pushed  forward  between  the  ridge-ropes. 
Ludlow  followed  with  Alida,  and  the  others  imitated  their  ex 
ample  in  the  best  manner  they  could.  All  reached  the  head 
of  the  ship  in  safety ;  though  Ludlow  had  been  driven  by  the 
flames  into  the  fore-channels,  and  thence  nearly  into  the  sea. 

The  petty  officers  were  already  on  the  floating  spars  separat 
ing  them  from  each  other,  cutting  away  the  unnecessary 
weight  of  rigging,  briging  the  several  parts  of  the  wood  in 
parallel  lines,  and  lashing  them  anew.  Ever  and  anon,  these 
rapid  movements  were  quickened  by  one  of  those  fearful  sig 
nals  from  the  officers'  berths,  which,  by  announcing  the 
progress  of  the  flames  beneath,  betrayed  their  increasing 
^proximity  to  the  still  slumbering  volcano.  The  boats  had 
been  gone  an  hour,  yet  it  seemed,  to  all  in  the  ship,  but  a 
minute.  The  conflagration  had,  for  the  last  ten  minutes,  ad 
vanced  with  renewed  fury ;  and  the  whole  of  the  confined 
flame,  which  had  been  so  long  pent  in  the  depths  of  the  vessel, 
now  glared  high  in  the  open  air.  . 

"  This  heat  can  no  longer  be  borne,"  said  Ludlow  ;  "we 
must  to  our  raft  for  breath." 

"To  the  raft,  then!"  returned  the  cheerful  voice  of  the 
free-trader.  "  Haul  in  upon  your  fasts,  men,  and  stand  by  to 
receive  the  precious  freight." 

The  seamen  obeyed.  Alida  and  her  companions  were  low 
ered  safely  to  the  place  prepared  for  their  reception.  The 
foremast  had  gone  over  the  side  with  all  its  spars  aloft ;  for 
preparation  had  been  made,  before  the  fire  commenced,  to 
carry  sail  to  the  utmost  in  order  to  escape  the  enemy.  The 
skilful  and  active  seamen,  directed  and  aided  by  Ludlow  and 
the  Skimmer,  had  made  a  simple  but  happy  disposition  of  those 
buoyant  materials  on  which  their  all  now  depended.  In  set 
tling  in  the  water,  the  yards,  still  crossed,  had  happily  fallen 
uppermost.  The  booms  and  all  the  light  spars  had  been 
floated  near  the  top,  and  laid  across,  reaching  from  the  lower 
to  the  topsail-yard.  A  few  light  spars,  stowed  outboard,  had 
been  cut  away  and  added  to  the  number,  and  the  whole  were 
secured  with  the  readiness  and  ingenuity  of  seamen.  On  the 
first  alarm  of  fire,  some  of  the  crew  had  seized  a  few  light 
articles  that  would  float,  and  rushed  to  the  head,  as  the  place 
most  remote  from  the  magazine,  in  the  blind  hope  of  saving 


348  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

life  by  swimming.  Most  of  these  articles  had  been  deserted 
when  the  people  were  rallied  to  exertion  by  their  officers.  A 
couple  of  empty  shot-boxes  and  a  mess-chest  were  among  them, 
and  on  the  latter  were  seated  the  females,  \vhile  the  former 
served  to  keep  their  feet  from  the  water.  As  the  arrangement 
of  the  spars  forced  the  principal  mast  entirely  beneath  the  ele 
ment,  and  the  ship  was  so  small  as  to  need  little  artificial  work 
in  her  masting,  the  part  around  the  top,  which  contained  the 
stagging,  was  scarcely  submerged.  Although  a  ton  in  weight 
was  added  to  the  inherent  gravity  of  the  wood,  still,  as  the 
latter  was  of  the  lightest  description ,  and  freed  as  much  as 
possible  of  everything  that  was  unnecessary  to  the  safety  of 
those  it  supported,  the  spars  floated  sufficiently  buoyant  forth* 
temporary  security  of  the  fugitives. 

"  Cut  the  fasts  !  "  said  Ludlow,  involuntarily  starting  at 
several  explosions  in  the  interior,  which  followed  each  other  in 
quick  succession,  and  which  were  succeeded  by  one  which  sent 
fragments  of  burning  wood  into  the  air.  "Cut,  and  bear 
the  raft  off  the  ship  ! — God  knows  we  have  need  to  be  farther 
asunder  !  " 

"  Cut  not !  "  cried  the  half-frantic  Seadrift — "  my  brave  I 
— my  devoted  ! " 

"Is  safe — "  calmly  said  the  Skimmer,  appearing  in  the 
rattlins  of  the  main-rigging,  which  was  still  untouched  by  the 
fire. — "  Cut  off  all !  I  stay  to  brace  the  mizzen-topsail  more 
firmly  aback." 

The  duty  was  done,  and  for  a  moment  the  fine  figure  of  the 
free-trader  was  seen  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  burning  ship, 
looking  with  regret  at  the  glowing  mass. 

"  'Tis  the  end  of  a  lovely  craft  !  "  he  said,  loud  enough 
to  be  head  by  those  beneath.  Then  he  appeared  in  the  air 
and  sank  into  the  sea.  "The  last  signal  was  from  the  ward 
room,"  added  the  dauntless  and  dexterous  mariner  as  he  rcse 
from  the  water,  and,  shaking  the  brine  from  his  head,  he  took 
his  place  on  the  stage.  "  Would  to  God  the  wind  would  blow, 
for  we  have  need  of  greater  distance  !  " 

The  precaution  the  free-trader  had  taken  in  adjusting  the 
sails  was  not  without  its  use.  Motion  the  raft  had  none,  but 
as  the  topsarls  of  the  Coquette  were  still  aback,  the  flaming 
mass,  no  longer  arrested  by  the  clogs  in  the  water,  began 
slowly  to  separate  from  the  floating  spars,  though  the  tottering 
and  half-burnt  masts  threatened,  at  each  moment,  to  fall. 

Never  did  moments  seem  so  long  as  those  which  succeeded. 
Even  the  Skimmer  and  Ludlow  watched,  in  speechless  interest, 


THE    WATER-WITCH*  349 

Jhe  tardy  movements  of  the  ship.  By  little  and  little  she  re 
ceded  ;  and,  after  ten  minutes  of  intense  expectation,  the  sea 
men,  whose  anxiety  had  increased  as  their  exertions  ended, 
began  to  breathe  more  freely.  They  were  still  fearfully  near 
the  dangerous  fabric,  but  destruction  from  the  explosion  was 
no  longer  inevitable.  The  flames  began  to  glide  upward,  and 
the  heavens  appeared  on  fire,  as  one  heated  sail  after  another 
kindled  and  flared  wildly  in  the  breeze. 

Still  the  stern  of  the  vessel  was  entire.  The  body  of  the 
master  was  seated  against  the  mizzen-mast,  and  even  the  stern 
visage  of  the  old  seaman  was  distinctly  visible,  under  the  broad 
light  of  the  conflagration.  Ludlow  gazed  at  it  in  melancholy, 
mid  for  a  time  he  ceased  to  think  of  his  ship,  while  memory 
dwelt,  in  sadness,  on  those  scenes  of  boyish  happiness,  and  of 
professional  pleasures,  in  which  his  ancient  shipmate  had  so 
largely  participated.  The  roar  of  a  gun,  whose  stream  of  fire 
flashed  nearly  to  their  faces,  and  the  sullen  whistling  of  its 
shot,  which  crossed  the  raft,  failed  to  awaken  him  from  his 
trance. 

"  Stand  firm  to  the  mess-chest !  "  half -whispered  the  Skim 
mer,  motioning  to  his  companions  to  place  themselves  in  atti 
tudes  to  support  the  weaker  of  their  party,  while,  with  sedu 
lous  care,  he  braced  his  own  athletic  person  in  a  manner  to 
throw  all  of  its  weight  and  strength  against  the  seat.  ' '  Stand 
firm,  and  be  ready  !  " 

Ludlow  complied,  though  his  eye  scarcely  changed  its  di 
rection.  He  saw  the  bright  flame  that  was  rising  above  the 
arm-chest,  and  he  fancied  that  it  came  from  the  funeral-pile  of 
the  young  Dumont,  whose  fate,  at  that  moment,  he  was  almost 
disposed  to  envy.  Then  his  look  returned  to  the  grim  counte 
nance  of  Trysail.  At  moments,  it  seemed  as  if  the  dead  mas 
ter  spoke;  and  so  strong  did  the  illusion  become,  that  our  young 
sailor  more  than  once  bent  forward  to  listen.  While  under  this 
delusion,  the  body  rose,  with  the  arms  stretched  upward.  The 
air  was  filled  with  a  sheet  of  streaming  fire,  while  the  ocean  and 
the  heavens  glowed  with  one  glare  of  intense  and  fiery  red. 
Notwithstanding  the  precaution  of  the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas," 
the  chest  was  driven  from  its  place,  and  those  by  whom  it  was 
held  nearly  precipitated  into  the  water.  A  deep,  heavy  de 
tonation  proceeded  as  it  were  from  the  bosom  of  the  sea,  which, 
while  it  wounded  the  ear  less  than  the  sharp  explosion  that  had 
just  before  issued  from  the  gun,  was  audible  at  the  distant 
capes  of  the  Delaware.  The  body  of  Trysail  sailed  upward 
Cor  fifty  fathoms,  in  the  centre  of  a  flood  of  flame,  and,  dc* 


350  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

scribing  a  short  curve,  it  came  toward  the  raft,  and  cut  ti»e 
water  within  reach  of  the  captain's  arm.  A  sullen  plunge  ot 
a  gun  followed,  and  proclaimed  the  tremendous  power  of  the 
explosion ;  while  a  ponderous  yard  fell  athwart  a  part  of  the 
raft,  sweeping  away  the  four  petty  officers  of  Ludlow,  as  if 
they  had  been  dust  driving  before  a  gale.  To  increase  the 
wild  and  fearful  grandeur  of  the  dissolution  of  the  royal 
cruiser,  one  of  the  cannon  emitted  its  fiery  contents  while  sail- 
in  the  void. 

The  burning  spars,  the  falling  fragments,  the  blazing  and 
scattered  canvas  and  cordage,  the  glowing  shot,  and  all  the 
torn  particles  of  the  ship,  were  Seen  descending.  Then  fol 
lowed  the  gurgling  of  the  water,  as  the  ocean  swallowed  all 
that  remained  of  the  cruiser  which  had  so  long  been  the  pride 
of  the  American  seas.  The  fiery  glow  disappeared ;  and  % 
gloom,  like  that  which  succeeds  the  glare  of  vivid  lightning, 
fell  on  the  scene. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

«  Please  you,  read." 


CYMBELINB. 


"  IT  is  past !  "  said  the  '  Skimmer  of  the  Seas/  raising  him 
self  from  the  attitude  of  great  muscular  exertion,  which  he  had 
assumed  in  order  to  support  the  mess-chest,  and  walking  out 
along  the  single  masts,  toward  the  spot  whence  the  four  seamen 
of  Ludlow  had  just  been  swept.  "  It  is  past !  and  those  who 
are  called  to  the  last  account  have  met  their  fate  in  such  a 
scene  as  none  but  a  seaman  may  witness  ;  while  those  who  are 
spared  have  need  of  all  a  seaman's  skill  and  resolution  for 
that  which  remains.  Captain  Ludlow,  I  do  not  despair ;  for, 
see,  the  lady  of  the  brigantine  has  still  a  smile  for  her  servi 
tors  '  " 

Ludlow,  who  had  followed  the  steady  and  daring  free-trader 
to  the  place  where  the  spar  had  fallen,  turned  and  cast  a  look 
in  the  direction  in  which  the  other  stretched  his  arm.  Within 
a  hundred  feet  of  him,  he  saw  the  image  of  the  sea-green  lady, 
rocking  on  the  agitated  water,  and  turned  toward  the  raft  with 
its  usual  expression  of  wild  and  malicious  intelligence.  This: 
emblem  of  their  fancied  mistress  had  been  borne  in  front  of 
the  smugglers,  when  they  mounted  the  poop  of  the  Coquette ; 
and  the  steeled  staff  on  which  the  lantern  was  perched  had  been 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  35! 

stuck  into  a  horse-bucket  by  the  standard-bearer  of  the  moment 
ere  he  entered  the  melee  of  the  combat.  During  the  conflagra 
tion,  this  object  had  more  than  once  met  the  eye  of  Ludlow; 
and  now  it  appeared  floating  quietly  by  him,  in  a  manner  al 
most  to  shake  even  his  contempt  for  the  ordinary  superstitions 
of  seamen.  While  he  hesitated  in  what  manner  he  should 
reply  to  his  companion's  remark,  the  latter  plunged  into  the 
sea,  and  swam  toward  the  light.  He  was  soon  by  the  side  of 
the  raft  again,  bearing  aloft  the  symbol  of  his  brigantine. 
There  are  none  so  firm  in  the  dominion  of  reason  as  to  be 
entirely  superior  to  the  secret  impulses  which  teach  us  all  to 
believe  in  the  hidden  agency  of  a  good  or  an  evil  fortune. 
The  voice  of  the  free-trader  was  more  cheerful,  and  his  step 
more  sure  and  elastic,  as  he  crossed  the  stage  and  struck  the 
armed  end  of  the  staff"  into  that  part  of  the  top-rim  of  the 
Coquette  which  floated  uppermost. 

"Courage  !  "  he  gayly  cried.  "  While  this  light  burns,  my 
star  is  not  set !  Courage,  lady  of  the  land  ;  for  here  is  one  of  the 
deep  waters,  who  still  looks  kindly  on  her  followers  ?  We  are 
at  sea,  on  a  frail  craft  it  is  certain,  but  a  dull  sailor  may  make 
a  sure  passage. — Speak,  gallant  Master  Seadrift :  thy  gayety 
and  spirit  should  revive  under  so  goodly  an  omen  !  " 

But  the  agent  of  so  many  pleasant  masquerades,  and  the 
instrument  of  so  much  of  his  artifice,  had  not  a  fortitude 
equal  to  the  buoyant  temper  of  the  smuggler.  The  counterfeit 
bowed  his  head  by  the  side  of  the  silent  Alida,  without  a 
reply.  The  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  regarded  the  group,  a 
moment,  with  manly  interest ;  and,  touching  the  arm  of  Lud 
low,  he  walked  with  a  balancing  step  along  the  spars,  until 
they  had  reached  a  spot  where  they  might  confer  without 
causing  unnecessary  alarm  to  their  companions. 

Although  so  imminent  and  so  pressing  a  danger  as  that  of 
the  explosion  had  passed,  the  situation  of  those  who  had  es 
caped  was  scarcely  better  than  that  of  those  who  had  been  lost. 
The  heavens  showed  a  few  glimmering  stars  in  the  openings 
of  the  clouds ;  and,  now  that  the  first  contrast  of  the  change 
had  lessened,  there  was  just  enough  of  light  to  render  all  the 
features  of  their  actual  state  gloomily  imposing. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  foremast  of  the  Coquette  went  by 
the  board,  with  most  of  its  hamper  aloft.  The  sails,  with 
such  portion  of  the  rigging  as  might  help  to  sustain  it,  had 
been  hastily  cut  away  as  related  ;  and  after  its  fall,  until  the 
moment  of  the  explosion,  the  common  men  had  been  engaged, 
either  in  securing  the  staging,  or  in  clearing  the  wreck  of 


352  THE    WATER-WITCH- 

those  heavy  ropes  which,  useless  as  fastenings,  only  added  to 
the  weight  of  the  mass.  The  whole  wreck  lay  upon  the  sea, 
with  the  yards  crossed  and  in  their  places,  much  as  the  spars 
had  stood.  The  large  booms  had  been  unshipped,  and  laid  in 
such  a  manner  around  the  top,  with  the  ends  resting  on  the 
lower  and  topsail-yards,  as  to  form  the  foundation  of  the 
staging.  The  smaller  booms,  with  the  mess-chest  and  shot- 
boxes,  were  all  that  lay  ,  between  the  group  in  the  centre  and 
the  depths  of  the  ocean.  The  upper  part  of  the  top-rim  rose 
a  few  feet  above  the  water,  and  formed  an  important  protec 
tion  against  the  night-breeze  and  the  constant  washing  of  the 
waves.  In  this  manner  were  the  females  seated,  cautioned  not 
to  trust  their  feet  on  the  frail  security  of  the  booms,  and  sup 
ported  by  the  unremitting  care  of  the  alderman.  Francois 
had  submitted  to  be  lashed  to  the  top  by  one  of  the  brigan- 
tine's  seamen  ;  while  the  latter,  all  of  the  common  herd  who 
remained,  encouraged  by  the  presence  of  their  standard-light, 
began  to  occupy  themselves  in  looking  to  the  fastenings  and 
other  securities  of  the  raft. 

"We  are  in  no  condition  for  a  long  or  an  active  cruise, 
Captain  Ludlow,"  said  the  Skimmer,  when  he  and  his  com 
panion  were  out  of  hearing.  "  I  have  been  at  sea  in  all 
weathers,  and  in  every  description  of  craft ;  but  this  is  the 
boldest  of  my  experiments  on  the  water.  I  hope  it  may  not 
be  the  last  !  " 

"  We  cannot  conceal  from  ourselves  the  frightful  hazards  we 
xtm,"  returned  Ludlow,  "  however  much  we  may  wish  them 
*x>  be  a  secret  to  some  among  us." 

"  This  is  truly  a  deserted  sea  to  be  abroad  in,  on  a  raft ! 
JVere  we  in  the  narrow  passages  between  the  British  islands 
ind  the  main,  or  even  in  the  Biscay  waters,  there  would  be 
:iope  that  some  trader  or  roving  cruiser  might  cross  our  track ; 
:>ut  our  chance  here  lies  much  between  the  Frenchman  anc? 
"lie  brigantine." 

"  The  enemy  has,  doubtless,  seen  and  heard  the  explosion, 
sind,  as  the  land  is  so  near,  they  will  infer  that  the  people  are 
»aved  in  the  boats.  Our  chance  of  seeing  more  of  them  is 
much  diminished  by  the  accident  of  the  fire,  since  there  will 
no  longer  be  a  motive  for  remaining  on  the  coast." 

"  And  will  your  young  officers  abandon  their  captain  with 
out  a  search  ?  " 

"  Hope  of  aid  from  that  quarter  is  faint.  The  ship  ran 
aniles  while  in  flames,  and,  before  the  li^ht  returns,  these 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  353 

ivih  nave  drifted  leagues,  with  the  eboing  tide,  to 
seaward." 

"  TrOy,  I  have  sailed  with  better  auguries  !  "  observed  thf 
Skimmer.  "  What  are  the  bearings  and  distance  of  the  land  ? fi 

"  It  still  ties  to  the  north,  but  we  are  fast  setting  east  and 
southerly.  £re  morning  we  shall  be  abeam  of  Montauk,  or 
even  beyond  it ;  we  must  already  be  some  leagues  in  the  offing.'* 

"That  is  woxse  than  I  had  imagined  ! — but  there  is  hope 
on  the  flood  !  " 

"  The  flood  will  bear  us  northward  again — but — what  think 
you  of  the  heavens  ?  " 

' '  Unfavorable,  though  not  desperate.  The  sea-breeze  will 
return  with  the  sun." 

"Ana  with  it  will  return  the  swell  !  How  long  will  these 
ill-secured  spars  hold  together,  when  agitated  by  the  heave  of 
the  water  !  Or  how  long  will  those  with  us  bear  up  against  the 
wash  of  the  sea,  unsupported  by  nourishment?" 

"You  paint  in  gloomy  .colors,  Captain  Ludlow,"  said  the 
free-trader,  drawing  a  heavy  breath,  in  spite  of  all  his  resolu 
tion.  "  My  experience  tells  me  you  are  right,  though  my 
wishes  would  fain  contradict  you.  Still,  I  think  we  have  the 
promise  of  a  tranquil  night." 

1 '  Tranquil  for  a  ship,  or  even  for  a  boat ;  but  hazardous  to 
a  raft  like  this.  You  see  that  this  topmast  already  works  in 
the  cap  at  each  heave  of  the  water,  and,  as  the  wood  loosens, 
our  security  lessens." 

"  Thy  counsel  is  not  flattering  !  Captain  Ludlow,  you  are  a 
seaman  and  a  man,  and  I  shall  not  attempt  to  trifle  with  your 
knowledge.  With  you,  I  think  the  danger  imminent,  and 
almost  our  only  hope  dependent  on  the  good  fortune  of  my 
brigantine." 

"  Will  those  in  her  think  it  their  duty  to  quit  their  anchor 
age,  to  come  in  quest  of  a  raft  whose  existence  is  unknown  to 
them?" 

« '  There  is  hope  in  the  vigilance  of  her  of  the  sea-green 
mantle  !  You  may  deem  this  fanciful  or  even  worse,  at  such  a 
moment ;  but  I,  who  have  run  so  many  gantlets,  under  her 
favor,  have  faith  in  her  fortunes.  Surely,  you  are  not  a  sea 
man,  Captain  Ludlow,  without  a  secret  dependence  on  some 
unseen  and  potent  agency  !  '* 

"  My  dependence  is  placed  in  the  agency  of  Him  who  is 
all-potent,  but  never  visible.  If  He  forget  us,  we  may  indeed 
despair  !  " 

•'  This  is  well,  but  it  is  not  the  fortune  I  would  express 


354  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

Betieve  me,  spite  of  an  education  which  teaches  all  you  havt 
said,  and  of  a  reason  that  is  often  too  clear  for  folly,  there  is  a 
secret  reliance  on  hidden  chances,  that  has  been  created  by  a 
life  of  activity  and  hazard,  and  which,  if  it  should  do  nothing 
better,  does  not  abandon  me  to  despair.  The  omen  of  the 
light  and  the  smile  of  my  mistress  would  cheer  me,  spite  of  a 
thousand  philosophers  !  " 

"  You  are  fortunate  in  purchasing  consolation  so  cheaply,* 
returned  the  commander  of  Queen  Anne,  who  felt  a  latent 
hope  in  his  companion's  confidence  that  he  would  have  hesi 
tated  to  acknowledge.  "  I  see  but  little  that  we  can  do  to  aid 
our  chances,  except  it  be  to  clear  away  all  unnecessary  weight, 
and  to  secure  the  raft  as  much  as  possible  by  additional 
lashings." 

"  The  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  assented  to  the  proposal. 
Consulting  a  moment  longer,  on  the  details  of  their  expedi 
ents,  they  rejoined  the  group  near  the  top,  in  order  to  see 
them  executed.  As  the  seamen  on  the  raft  were  reduced  to 
the  two  people  of  the  brigantine,  Ludlow  and  his  companion 
were  obliged  to  assist  in  the  performance  of  the  duty. 

Much  useless  rigging,  that  added  to  the  pressure  without 
aiding  the  buoyancy  of  the  raft,  was  cut  away ;  and  all  the 
boom-irons  were  knocked  off  the  yards,  and  suffered  to  descend 
to  the  bottom  of  the  ocean.  By  these  means  a  great  weight 
was  taken  from  the  raft,  which,  in  consequence,  floated  with 
so  much  additional  power  to  sustain  those  who  depended  on  it 
for  life.  The  Skimmer,  accompanied  by  his  two  silent  but 
obedient  seamen,  ventured  along  the  attenuated  and  submerged 
•spars  to  the  extremity  of  the  tapering  masts,  and,  after  toiling 
with  the  dexterity  of  men  accustomed  to  deal  with  the  compli 
cated  machinery  of  a  ship  in  the  darkest  nights,  they  succeeded 
in  releasing  the  two  smaller  masts  with  their  respective  yards 
and  in  floating  them  down  to  the  body  of  the  wreck,  or  the 
part  around  the  top.  Here  the  sticks  were  crossed  in  a  man 
ner  to  give  great  additional  strength  and  footing  to  the  stage. 

There  was  an  air  of  hope,  and  a  feeling  of  increased  se 
curity,  in  this  employment.  Even  the  alderman  and  Francois 
aided  in  the  task,  to  the  extent  of  their  knowledge  and  force. 
But  when  these  alterations  were  made,  and  additional  lashings 
had  been  applied  to  keep  the  topmast  and  the  larger  yards  in 
fcheir  places,  Ludlow,  by  joining  those  who  were  around  the 
mast-head,  tacitly  admitted  that  little  more  could  be  done  to 
Divert  the  chances  of  the 'elements 

During:  the  few  hours  occupied  in  this  important  duty,  Alida 


THE    WATER-WITCH,  355 

and  her  companion  addressed  themselves  to  God  in  long  and 
fervent  petitions.  With  woman's  faith  in  that  divine  being 
who  alone  could  avail  them,  and  with  woman's  high  mental 
fortitude  in  moments  of  protracted  trial,  they  had  both  known 
how  to  control  the  exhibition  of  their  terrors,  and  had  sought 
their  support  in  the  same  appeal  to  a  power  superior  to  all  of 
earth.  Ludlow  was,  therefore,  more  than  rewarded  by  the 
sound  of  Alida's  voice,  speaking  to  him  cheerfully,  as  she 
thanked  him  for  what  he  had  done,  when  he  had  admitted 
that  he  could  now  do  no  more. 

"  The  rest  is  with  Providence  !  "  added  Alida.  "  All  that 
bold  and  skilful  seamen  can  do  have  ye  done ;  and  all  that 
woman  in  such  a  situation  can  do,  have  we  done  in  your 
behalf !  " 

"Thou  hast  thought  of  me  in  thy  prayers,  Alida  !  It  is  an 
intercession  that  the  stoutest  needs,  and  which  none  but  the 
fool  derides." 

"And  thou,  Eudora  !  thou  hast  remembered  him  who 
quiets  the  waters  !  "  said  a  deep  voice  near  the  bending  forro- 
of  the  counterfeit  Seadrift. 

"  I  have." 

"  'Tis  well. — There  are  points  to  which  manhood  and  ex 
perience  may  pass,  and  there  are  those  where  all  is  left  to  one 
mightier  than  the  elements  !  " 

Words  like  these,  coming  from  the  lips  of  one  of  the  known 
character  of  the  "Skimmer  of  the  Seas,"  were  not  given  to 
the  winds.  Even  Ludlow  cast  an  uneasy  look  at  the  heavens, 
when  they  came  upon  his  ear,  as  if  they  conveyed  a  secret 
notice  of  the  whole  extremity  of  the  danger  by  which  they 
were  environed.  None  answered ;  and  a  long  silence  suc 
ceeded,  during  which  some  of  the  more  fatigued  slumbered 
uneasily,  spite  of  their  fearful  situation. 

In  this  manner  did  the  night  pass  in  weariness  and  anxiety. 
Little  was  said,  and  for  hours  scarce  a  limb  was  moved,  in  the 
group  that  clustered  around  the  mess-chest.  As  the  signs  of 
day  appeared,  however,  every  faculty  was  keenly  awake  to 
catch  the  first  signs  of  what  they  had  to  hope,  or  the  first  cer- 
Cainty  of  what  they  had  to  fear. 

The  surface  of  the  ocean  was  still  smooth,  though  the  long 
swells  in  which  the  element  was  heaving  and  setting,  suffi 
ciently  indicated  that  the  raft  had  floated  far  from  the  land. 
This  fact  was  rendered  sure  when  the  light,  which  soon  ap 
peared  along  the  eastern  margin  of  the  narrow  view,  was  shed 
gradually  over  the  whole  horizon.  Nothing  was  at  first  visible 


356  *+ffE   WATER-WITCH. 

but  one  gloomy  and  vacant  waste  of  water.  But  a  cry  of  joy 
from  Seadrift,  whose  senses  had  long  been  practised  in  ocean- 
sights,  soon  drew  all  eyes  in  the  direction  opposite  to  that  of 
the  rising  sum,  and  it  was  not  long  before  all  on  the  low  raft 
had  a  view  of  the  snowy  surfaces  of  a  ship's  sails,  as  the  glow 
of  morning  touched  the  canvas. 

"It  is  the  Frenchman!"  said  the  free-trader.  "  He  if 
charitably  looking  for  the  wreck  of  his  late  enemy  !  " 

"  It  may  be  so,  for  our  fate  can  be  no  secret  to  him,"  was 
the  answer  of  Ludlow.  "  Unhappily,  we  had  run  some  dis 
tance  from  the  anchorage,  before  the  flames  broke  out. 
Truly,  those  with  whom  we  so  lately  struggled  for  life,  are  bent 
on  a  duty  of  humanity." 

"  Ah,  yonder  is  his  crippled  consort ! — to  leeward  many  a 
league.  The  gay  bird  has  been  too  sadly  stripped  of  its 
plumage  to  fly  so  near  the  wind  !  This  is  man's  fortune  !  He 
uses  his  power,  at  one  moment,  to  destroy  the  very  means  that 
become  necessary  to  his  safety  the  next." 

"  And  what  think  you  of  our  hopes?  "  asked  Alida,  search 
ing  in  the  countenance  of  Ludlow  a  clew  to  their  fate.  ' '  Does 
the  stranger  move  in  a  direction  favorable  to  our  wishes  ?  " 

Neither  Ludlow  nor  the  Skimmer  replied.  Both  regarded 
the  frigate  intently;  then,  as  objects  became  more  distinct, 
both  answered  by  a  common  impulse,  that  the  ship  was  steer 
ing  directly  toward  them.  The  declaration  excited  general 
hope,  and  even  the  negress  was  no  longer  restrained  by  her 
situation  from  expressing  her  joy  in  vociferous  exclamations  of 
delight. 

A  few  minutes  of  active  and  ready  exertion  succeeded.  A 
light  boom  was  unlashed  from  the  raft  and  raised  on  its  end, 
supporting  a  little  signal,  made  of  the  handkerchiefs  of  the 
party,  which  fluttered  in  the  light  breeze  at  the  elevation  of 
some  twenty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  After  this 
precaution  was  observed,  they  were  obliged  to  await  the  result 
in  such  patience  as  they  could  assume.  Minute  passed  after 
minute,  and,  at  each  moment,  the  form  and  proportions  of  the 
ship  became  more  distinct,  until  all  the  mariners  of  the  party 
declared  they  could  distinguish  men  on  her  yards.  A  cannon 
would  have  readily  sent  its  shot  from  the  ship  to  the  raft,  yet 
no  sign  betrayed  the  consciousness  of  those  in  the  former  of 
the  proximity  of  the  latter. 

"  I  do  not  like  his  manner  of  steering !  "  observed  the 
Skimmer  to  the  silent  and  attentive  Ludlow.  "He  yaws 


THE    WATER-WITCH. 


357 


broadly,  as  if  disposed  to  give  up  the  search.  God  grant 
him  the  heart  to  continue  on  his  course  ten  minutes  longer! " 

"  Have  we  no  means  of  making  ourselves  heard  ? "  de 
manded  the  alderman.  "  Methinks  the  voice  of  a  strong  man 
might  be  sent  thus  far  across  the  water  when  life  is  at  stake." 

The  more  experienced  shook  their  heads  ;  but,  not  dis 
couraged,  the  burgher  raised  his  voice  with  a  power  that  was 
sustained  by  the  imminency  of  the  peril.  He  was  joined  by 
the  seamen,  and  even  Ludlow  lent  his  aid,  until  all  were 
hoarse  with  the  fruitless  effort.  Men  were  evidently  aloft, 
and  in  some  numbers,  searching  the  ocean  with  their  eyes,  but 
still  no  answering  signal  came  from  the  vessel. 

The  ship  continued  to  approach,  and  the  raft  was  less  than 
half  a  mile  from  her  bows,  when  the  vast  fabric  suddenly 
receded  from  the  breeze,  snowed  the  whole  of  its  glittering 
broadside,  and,  swinging  its  yards,  betrayed  by  its  new  posi 
tion  that  the  search  in  that  direction  was  abandoned.  The 
instant  Ludlow  saw  the  filling-off  of  the  frigate's  bows,  he 
cried  : 

"  Now  raise  your  voices  together  ;  this  is  the  final  chance!" 

They  united  in  a  common  shout,  with  the  exception  of  the 
"  Skimmer  of  the  Seas."  The  latter  leaned  against  the  top 
wth  folded  arms,  listening  to  their  impotent  efforts  with  a 
melancholy  smile. 

"It  is  well  attempted,"  said  the  calm  and  extraordinary 
seaman  when  the  clamor  had  ceased,  advancing  along  the  raft 
and  motioning  for  all  to  be  silent ;  **  but  it  has  failed.  The 
swinging  of  the  yards,  and  the  orders  given  in  wearing  ship, 
would  prevent  a  stronger  sound  from  being  audible  to  men  so 
actively  employed.  I  flatter  none  with  hope,  but  this  is  truly 
the  moment  for  a  final  effort." 

He  placed  his  hands  to  his  mouth,  and  disregarding  words, 
he  raised  a  cry  so  clear,  so  powerful,  and  yet  so  full,  that  ;t 
seemed  impossible  those  in  the  vessel  should  not  hear  it. 
Thrice  did  he  repeat  the  experiment,  though  it  was  evident 
that  each  successive  exertion  was  feebler  than  the  last. 

"  They  hear  !  "  cried  Alida.  "There  is  a  movement  in 
the  sails  !" 

" 'Tis  the  breeze  freshening,"  answered  Ludlow,  in  sad 
ness,  at  her  side.  "  Each  moment  takes  them  away  !  " 

The  melancholy  truth  was  too  apparent  for  denial,  and  for 
half  an  hour  the  retiring  ship  was  watched  in  the  bitterness  of 
disappointment.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  she  fired  a  gun, 
spread  additional  canvas  on  her  wide  booms  and  stood  away 


358  THE   WATER-WITCH. 

before  the  wind,  to  join  her  consort,  whose  upper  sails  were 
already  dipping-  to  the  surface  of  the  sea,  in  the  southern 
board.  With  this  change  in  her  movements,  vanished  all 
expectation  of  succor  from  the  cruiser  of  the  em  my. 

Perhaps,  in  every  situation  of  life,  it  is  necessary  that  hope 
should  be  first  lessened  by  disappointment,  before  the  buoy 
ancy  of  the  human  mind  will  permit  it  to  descend  to  the  level 
of  an  evil  fortune.  Until  a  frustrated  effort  teaches  him  the 
difficulty  of  the  attempt,  he  who  has  fallen  may  hope  to  rise 
again  ;  and  it  is  only  when  an  exertion  has  been  made  with 
lessened  means,  that  we  learn  the  value  of  a-:'  vantages,  which 
have  perhaps  been  long  enjoyed  with  a  very  undue  estimate  of 
their  importance.  Until  the  stern  of  the  French  frigate  was 
seen  retiring  from  the  raft,  those  who  were  on  it  had  not  been 
fully  sensible  of  the  extreme  danger  of  their  situation.  Hope 
had  been  strongly  excited  by  the  return  of  dawn  ;  for,  while 
the  shadows  of  night  lay  on  the  ocean,  their  situation  resem 
bled  that  of  one  who  strove  to  pierce  the  obscurity  of  the 
future,  in  order  to  obtain  a  presage  of  better  fortunes.  With 
the  light  had  come  the  distant  sail.  As  the  day.  advanced; 
the  ship  had  approached,  relinquished  her  search  and  disap 
peared,  without  a  prospect  of  her  return. 

The  stoutest  heart  among  the  g-oup  on  the  raft  began  to 
sink  at  the  gloomy  fate  which  now  seemed  inevitable. 

<l  Here  is  an  evil  omen  ! ''  whispered  Ludlow,  directing  his 
companion's  eyes  to  the  dark  and  pointed  fins  of  three  or  four 
sharks,  that  were  gliding  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
in  so  fearful  a  proximity  to  their  persons  as  to  render  their 
situation  on  the  low  spars,  over  which  the  water  was  washing 
and  retiring  at  each  rise  and  fall  of  the  waves,  doubly  danger 
ous.  "  The  creatures'  instincts  speaks  ill  for  our  hopes  !  " 

<k  There  is  a  belief  among  seamen,  that  these  animals  feel  a 
secret  impulse,  which  directs  them  to  their  prey,"  returned 
the  Skimmer.  "  But  fortune  may  yet  baik  them. — Roger- 
son  ! "  calling  to  one  of  his  followers  ;  "  thy  pockets  are 
rarely  wanting  in  a  fisherman's  tackle.  Hast  thop,  haply,  line 
and  hook,  for  these  hungry  miscreants  ?  The  question  is 
getting  narrowed  to  one  in  which  the  simplest  philosophy  is 
the  wisest.  When  eat  or  to  be  eaten  is  the  mooted  point,  most 
men  will  decide  for  the  former." 

A  hook  of  sufficient  size  was  soon  produced,  and  a  line  was 
quietly  provided  from  some  of  the  small  cordage  that  still  re 
mained  about  th'*  masts.  A  piece  of  leather,  torn  from  a  spar, 
answered  for  the  bait  ;  and  the  lure  was  Thrown.  Extreme 


THE  WATER-WITCH.  359 

hunger  seemed  to  engross  the  voracious  animals, who  darted  at 
the  imaginary  prey  with  the  rapidity  of.  lightning.  The  shock 
was  so  sudden  and  violent,that  the  hapless  manner  was  drawn 
from  his  slippery  and  precarious  footing  into  the  sea.  The 
whole  passed  with  a  frightful  and  alarming  rapidity.  A  com 
mon  cry  of  horror  was  heard,  and  the  last  despairing  glance 
of  the  fallen  man  was  witnessed.  The  mutilated  body  floated 
for  an  instant  in  its  blood,  with  the  look  of  agony  and  terror 
still  imprinted  on  the  conscious  countenance.  At  the  next 
moment,  it  had  become  food  for  the  monsters  of  the  sea. 

All  had  passed  away,  but  the  deep  dye  on  the  surface  of 
the  ocean.  The  gorged  fish  disappeared  :  but  the  dark  spot 
remained  near  the  immovable  raft,  as  if  placed  there  to  warn 
the  survivors  of  their  fate. 

"This  is  horrible  !"  said  Ludlow. 

"  A  sail  !  "  shouted  the  Skimmer,  whose  voice  and  tone, 
breaking  in  on  that  moment  of  intense  horror  and  apprehen 
sion,  sounded  like  a  cry  from  the  heavens.  "  My  gallant 
brigantine  ? '* 

"God  grant  she  comes  with  better  fortune  than  those  who 
have  so  lately  left  us ! " 

"God  grant  it  truly  !  If  this  hope  fail,  there  is  none  left. 
Few  pass  here,  and  we  have  had  sufficient  proof  that  our  top 
gallants  are  not  so  lofty  as  to  catch  every  eye." 

All  attention  was  now  bestowed  on  the  white  speck  which 
was  visible  on  the  margin  of  the  ocean,  and  which  the 
"  Skimmer  of  the  Seas  "  confidently  pronounced  to  be  the 
Water  Witch.  None  but  a  seaman  could  have  felt  this  cer 
tainty  ;  for,  seen  from  the  low  raft,  there  was  little  else  to  be 
distinguished  but  the  heads  of  the  upper  sails.  The  direc 
tion,  too,  was  unfavorable,  as  it  was  to  leeward  ;  but  both 
Ludlow  and  the  free-trader  assured  their  companions  that 
the  vessel  was  endeavoring  to  beat  in  with  the  land. 

The  two  hours  that  succeeded  lingered  like  days  of  misery. 
So  much  depended  on  a  variety  of  events,  that  every  circum 
stance  was  noted  by  the  seamen  of  the  party,  with  an  interest 
bordering  on  agony'.  A  failure  of  the  wind  might  compel  the 
vessel  to  remain  stationary,  and  then  both  brigantine  and  raft 
would  be  at  the  mercy  of  the  uncertain  currents  of  the  ocean  ; 
a  change  of  wind  might  cause  a  change  of  course,  and  render 
a  meeting  impossible  ;  an  increase  of  the  breeze  might  cause 
destruction,  even  before  the  succor  would  come.  In  addition 
to  these  obvious  hazards,  there  were  all  the  chances  which 
were  dependent  on  the  fact  that  the  people  of  the  brigantine 


360  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

had  every  reason  to  believe  the  fate  of  the  party  was  already 
sealed. 

"  Still  Fortune  seemed  propitious  ;  for  the  breeze,  though 
steady,  was  light ;  the  intention  of  the  vessel  was  evidently 
to  pass  somewhere  near  them,  and  the  hope  that  their  object 
was  search  seemed  so  strong  and  plausible  as  to  exhilarate 
every  bosom 

At  the  expiration  of  the  time  named,  the  brigantine  passed 
the  raft  to  leeward  and  so  near  as  to  render  the  smaller  ob- 
jec's  in  her  rigging  distinctly  visible. 

" The  faithful  fellows  are  looking  for  us  !  "  exclaimed  the 
free-trader,  with  strong  emotion  in  his  voice.  "  They  are 
men  to  scour  the  coast,  ere  they  abandon  us  !  " 

"  They  pass  us — wave  the  signal — it  may  catch  their  eyes!  '* 

The  little  flag  was  unheeded,  and,  after  so  long  and  so  in 
tense  expectation,  the  party  on  the  raft  had  the  pain  to  see 
the  swift-moving  vessel  glide  past  them,  and  drawing  so  far 
ahead  as  to  leave  little  hope  ot  her  return.  The  heart  of  even 
the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas"  appeared  to  sink  within  him  at 
t  hed  isappointment. 

"  For  myself,  I  care  not/  said  the  stout  mariner,  mourn 
fully.  "  Of  what  consequence  is  it,  in  what  sea,  or  on  what 
voyage,  a  seaman  goes  into  his  watery  tomb  ? — but  for  thee, 
my  hapless  and  playful  Eudora,  I  could  wish  another  fate — 
ha  ! — she  tacks  ! — the  sea-green  lady  has  an  instinct  for  her 
children,  after  all !  " 

The  brigantine  was  in  stays.— In  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  more 
the  vessel  was  again  abeam  of  the  raft,  and  to  windward. 

"If  she  pass  us  now,  our  chance  is  gone,  without  a 
shadow  of  hope,"  said  the  Skimmer,  motioning  solemnly  for 
silence.  Then  applying  his  hands  to  his  mouth,  he  shouted, 
as  if  despair  lent  a  giant's  volume  to  his  lungs  : 

"  Ho  !     The  Water- Witch  ahoy  !  " 

The  last  word  issued  from  his  lips  with  the  clear,  audible 
cry,  that  the  peculiar  sound  is  intended  to  produce.  It  ap 
peared  as  if  the  conscious  little  bark  knew  its  commander's 
voice  ;  for  its  course  changed  slightly,  as  if  the  fabric  were 
possessed  of  the  consciousness  and  faculties  of  life. 

"  Ho  !  The  Water-Witch— ahoy  !  "  shouted  the  Skim 
mer,  with  a  still  mightier  effort. 

"  Hilloa  !"  came  down  faintly  on  the  breeze,  and  the  di 
rection  of  the  brigantine  again  altered. 

"The  Water-Witch  !— the  Water-Witch  !— ahoy  ! "  broke 
out  of  the  lips  of  the  mariner  of  the  shawl,  with  a  supernat- 


THE    WATER-WITCH.  361 

ural  force,  the  last  cry  being  drawn  out  till  he  who  uttered  it 
sank  back  exhausted  with  the  effort. 

The  words  were  still  ringing  in  the  ears  of  the  breathless 
party  on  the  raft,  when  a  heavy  shout  swept  across  the  water. 
At  the  next  moment  the  boom  of  the  brigantine  swung  off,  and 
her  narrow  bows  were  seen  pointing  toward  the  little  beacon  of 
white  that  played  above  the  sea.  It  was  but  a  moment,  but  it 
was  a  mom  -nt  pregnant  with  a  thousand  hopes  and  fears,  be 
fore  the  beautiful  craft  was  gliding  within  fifty  feet  of  the  top. 
In  less  than  five  minutes,  the  spars  of  the  Coquette  were  float 
ing  on  the  .wide  ocean,  unpeopled  and  abandoned. 

The  first  sensation  ot  the  ''Skimmer  of  the  Seas,"  when 
his  foot  touched  the  deck  of  his  brigantine,  might  have  been 
one  of  deep  and  intense  gratitude.  He  was  silent,  and  seem 
ingly  oppressed  at  the  throat.  Stepping  along  the  planks,  he 
cast  an  eye  aloft,  and  struck  his  hand  powerfully  on  the  cap 
stan,  in  a  manner  that  was  divided  between  convulsion  and 
affection.  Then  he  smiled  grimly  on  his  attentive  and  obedi 
ent  crew,  speaking  with  his  wonted  cheerfulness  and  authority: 

"  Fill  away  the  topsail — brace  up  and  haul  aft !  Trim 
every  thing  flat  as  boards,  boys — jam  the  dear  huzzy  in  with 
the  coast! " 


CHAPTER   XXXIV, 

"  Beseech  you,  sir,  were  you  present  at  this  relation  ?  H 

WINTER'S  TALE. 

ON  the  following  morning  the  windows  of  the  Lust  in  Rust 
denoted  the  presence  of  its  owner.  There  was  an  air  of  mel 
ancholy,  yet  of  happiness,  in  the  faces  of  many  who  were 
seen  about  the  buildings  and  the  grounds,  as  if  a  great  good 
had  been  accompanied  by  some  grave  and  qualifying  cir 
cumstances  of  sorrow.  The  negroes  wore  an  air  of  that 
love  of  the  extraordinary,  which  is  the  concomitant  of  igno 
rance,  while  those  of  the  more  fortunate  class  resembled  men 
who  retained  a  recollection  of  serious  evils  that  were  past. 

In  the  private  apartment  of  the  burgher,  however,  an  inter 
view  took  place  which  was  characterized  by  an  air  of  deep 
concern.  The  parties  were  only  the  free-trader  and  the  alder 
man.  But  it  was  apparent,  in  the  look  of  each,  that  they  met 
like  men  who  had  interesting  and  serious  matters  to  discuss. 


362  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

Still,  one  accustomed  to  the  expressions  of  the  human  counte 
nance  might  have  seen  that,  while  the  former  was  about  to  in- 
trodnce  topics  in  which  his  feelings  were  powerfully  enlisted, 
theothcr  looked  only  to  the  grosser  interests  of  his  commerce. 

"  My  minutes  are  counted,"  said  the  mariner,  stepping  into 
the  centre  of  the  room,  and  facing  his  companion.  "  That 
which  is  to  be  said  must  be  said  briefly.  The  inlet  can  only 
be  passed  on  the  rising  water,  and  it  will  ill  consult  your  opin 
ions  of  prudence  were  I  to  tarry,  till  the  hue  and  cry  that  will 
follow  the  intelligence  of  that  which  has  lately  happened  in 
the  offing,  shall  be  heard  in  the  province." 

"  Spoken  with  a  rover's  discretion!  This  reserve  will1  per 
petuate  friendship,  which  is  naught  weakened  by  your  activity 
in  our  late  uncomfortable  voyage  on  the  yards  and  masts  of 
Queen  Anne's  late  cruiser.  Well!  I  wish  no  ill-luck  to  any 
loyal  gentleman  in  her  majesty's  service;  but  it  is  a  thousand 
pities  that  thou  wert  not  ready,  now  the  coast  is  clear,  with  a 
.cood  heavy  inward  cargo!  The  last  was  altogether  an  affair 
of  secret  drawers  and  rich  laces;  valuable  in  itself,  and  profit 
able  in  the  exchange:  but  the  colony  is  sadly  in  want  of  cer 
tain  articles  that  can  only  be  landed  at  leisure." 

"  I  come  on  other  matters.  There  have  been  transactions 
between  us,  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  that  you  little  under 
stand." 

"  You  speak  of  a  small  mistake  in  the  last  invoice  ?  'Tis 
all  explained,  Master  Skimmer,  on  a  second  examination  ; 
and  thy  accuracy  is  as  well  established  as  that  of  the  Bank 
of  England." 

''Established  or  not,  let  him  who  doubts  cease  to  deal. 
I  have  no  other  motto  than  *  confidence,'  nor  any  other  rule 
but  •*  jus-rice.'  " 

"  You  overrun  my  meaning,  friend  of  mine.  I  intimate 
no  suspicions  ;  but  accuracy  is  the  soul  of  commerce,  as 
profit  is  its  object.  Clear  accounts,  with  reasonable  balances, 
are  the  surest  cements  of  business  intimacies.  A  little 
frankness  operates,  in  a  secret  trade,  like  equity  in  the 
courts  ;  which  reestablishes  the  justice  that  the  law  has  de 
stroyed. — What  is  thy  purpose  ? " 

"It  is  now  many  years,  Alderman  Van  Beverout,  since 
this  secret  trade  was  comnv-nced  between  you  and  my 
predecessor,  he  whom  you  have  thought  my  father,  but  who 
only  claimed  that  revered  appellation  by  protecting  the  help 
lessness  and  infancy  of  the  orphan  child  of  a  friend." 

<'The  latter  circumstance  is  new  to  me,"  returned  the 


TffE    WATER-WITCH,  363 

burgher,  slowly  bowing  his  head.  "  It  may  explain  certain 
levities  which  have  not  been  without  their  embarrassment, 
'Tis  five-and-twenty  years,  come  August,  Master  Skimmer,  and 
twelve  of  them  have  been  under  thy  auspices.  I  will  not  say 
that  the  adventures  might  not  have  been  better  managed  ;  as 
it  is,  they  are  tolerable.  I  am  getting  old,  and  think  of  clos 
ing  the  risks  and  hazards  of  life — two  or  three,  or,  at  the 
most,  four  or  five  lucky  voyages,  must,  I  think,  bring  a  final 
settlement  between  us." 

"  'Twill  be  made  sooner.  I  believe  the  history  of  my  pred 
ecessor  was  no  secret  to  you.  The  manner  in  which  he  was 
driven  from  the  marine  of  the  Stuarts,  on  account  of  his  op 
position  to  tyranny ;  his  refuge  with  an  only  daughter,  in  the 
colonies ;  and  his  final  recourse  to  the  free-trade  for  a  liveli 
hood,  have  often  been  alluded  to  between  us." 

"  Hum — I  have  a  good  memory  for  business,  Master  Skim 
mer,  but  I  am  as  forgetful  as  a  new-made  lord  of  his  pedigree, 
on  all  matters  that  should  be  overlooked.  I  dare  say,  how 
ever,  it  was  as  you  have  stated." 

"  You  know  that,  when  my  protector  and  predecessor  aban 
doned  the  land,  he  took  his  all  with  him  upon  the  water." 

"He  took  a  wholesome  and  good -going  schooner,  Master 
Skimmer,  with  an  assorted  freight  of  chosen  tobacco,  well  bal 
lasted  with  stones  from  off  the  sea-shore.  He  was  no  foolish 
admirer  of  sea-green  women  and  flaunting  brigantines.  Often- 
did  the  royal  cruisers  mistake  the  worthy  dealer  for  an  indus 
trious  fisherman  !  " 

"  He  had  his  humors,  and  I  have  mine.  But  you  forget  a 
part  of  the  freight  he  carried — a  part  that  was  not  the  leasf 
valuable." 

"There  might  have  been  a  bale  of  marten's  furs— for  the 
trade  was  just  getting  brisk  in  that  article." 

"There  was  a  beautiful,  an  innocent,  and  an  affectionate 
girl-" 

The  alderman  made  an  involuntary  movement  which  nearly 
hid  his  countenance  from  his  companion. 

"  There  was;  indeed,  a  beautiful,  and,  as  you  say,  a  most 
warm-hearted  girl,  in  the  concern  !  "  he  uttered  in  a  voice 
that  was  subdued  and  hoarse.  "She*  died,  as  I  have  heard 
from  thyself,  Master  Skimmer,  in  the  Italian  seas.  I  never 
saw  the  father  after  the  last  visit  of  his  child  to  this  coast." 

"  She  did  die  among  the  islands  of  the  Mediterranean.  But 
the  void  she  left  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  her,  was  filled 
fa  time  by  her — daughter," 


364  THE    WATER-WITCH, 

The  alderman  started  from  his  chair,  and,  looking  the  free 
trader  intently  and  anxiously  in  the  face,  he  slowly  repeated 
the  word — 

"  Daughter  !  " 

11 1  have  said  it.  Eudora  is  the  daughter  of  that  injured 
woman — need  I  say  who  is  the  father  ?  " 

The  burgher  groaned,  and,  covering  his  face  with  his  hands, 
he  sank  back  into  his  chair,  shivering  convulsively. 

"  What  evidence  have  I  for  this?  "  he  at  length  muttered— 
"  Eudora  is  thy  sister !  " 

The  answer  of  the  free-trader  was  accompanied  by  a  mel 
ancholy  smile. 

"  You  have  been  deceived.  Save  the  brigantine,  my  being 
is  attached  to  nothing.  When  my  own  brave  father  fell  by  the 
side  of  him  who  protected  my  youth,  none  of  my  blood  were 
left.  I  loved  him  as  a  father,  and  he  called  me  son,  while 
Eudora  was  passed  upon  you  as  the  child  of  a  second  marriage. 
**ut  here  is  sufficient  "^idence  of  her  birth." 

The  alderman  took  a  paper,  which  his  companion  put 
gravely  into  his  hand  and  his  eyes  ran  eagerly  over  its  contents, 
It  was  a  letter  to  himself  from  the  mother  of  Eudora,  written 
after  the  birth  of  the  latter,  and  with  the  endearing  affection  of 
a  woman.  The  love  between  the  young  merchant  and  the  fair 
daughter  of  his  secret  correspondent  had  been  less  criminal 
on  his  part  than  most  similar  connections.  Nothing  but  the 
peculiarity  of  their  situation,  and  the  real  embarrassment  of 
introducing  to  the  world  one  whose  existence  was  unknown  to 
his  friends,  and  their  mutual  awe  of  the  unfortunate  but  still 
proud  parent,  had  prevented  a  legal  marriage.  The  simple 
forms  of  the  colony  were  easily  satisfied,  and  there  was  even 
some  reason  to  raise  a  question  whether  they  had  not  been  suf 
ficiently  consulted  to  render  the  offspring  legitimate.  As 
Myndert  Van  Beverout,  therefore,  read  the  epistle  of  her 
wiiom  he  had  once  so  truly  loved,  and  whose  loss  had,  in 
more  senses  than  one,  been  to  him  an  irreparable  misfortune, 
sujce  his  character  might  have  yielded  to  her  gentle  and 
healthful  influence,  his  limbs  trembled,  and  his  whole  frame 
betrayed  the  violence  of  extreme  agitation.  The  language  of 
the  dying  woman  was  kind  and  free  from  reproach,  but  it  was 
solemn  and  admonitory.  She  communicated  the  birth  oi 
their  child  ;  but  she  left  it  to  the  disposition  of  her  own  father, 
while  she  apprised  the  author  of  its  being,  of  its  existence  ;  and, 
in  the  event  of  its  ever  being  consigned  to  his  care,  she 
earnestly  recommended  it  to  his  love.  The  close  was  a  leave* 


THE    WATER-WITCH  365 

taking,  in  which  the  lingering  affections  of  this  life  were 
placed  in  mournful  contrast  to  the  hopes  of  the  future. 

*'  Why  has  this  so  long  been  hidden  from  me  !  "  demanded 
the  agitated  merchant — "why,  O  reckless  and  fearless  man  ! 
have  I  been  permitted  to  expose  the  frailties  of  nature  to  my 
own  child?  " 

The  smile  of  the  free-trader  was  bitter  and  proud. 

"  Mr.  Van  Beverout  we  are  no  dealers  of  the  short  voyage. 
Our  trade  is  the  concern  of  life  ;  our  world,  the  Water-Witch. 
As  we  have  so  little  of  the  interests  of  the  land,  our  philosophy 
is  above  its  weaknesses.  The  birth  of  Eudora  was  concealed 
from  you,  at  the  will  of  her  grandfather.  It  might  have 
been  resentment — it  might  have  been  pride.  Had  it  been  af 
fection,  the  girl  has  that  to  justify  the  fraud." 

"And  Eudora,  herself? — Does  she — or  has  she  long  known 
the  truth?" 

"But  lately.  Since  the  death  of  our  common  friend,  the 
girl  has  been  solely  dependent  on  me  for  counsel  and  protec 
tion.  It  is  now  a  year  since  she  first  learned  she  was  not  my 
sister.  Until  then,  like  you,  she  supposed  us  equally  derived 
from  one  who  was  the  parent  of  neither.  Necessity  has  con> 
pelled  me,  of  late,  to  keep  her  much  in  the  brigantine." 

"The  retribution  is  righteous!"  groaned  the  alderman. 
'*  I  am  punished  for  my  pusillanimity  in  the  degradation  of 
my  own  child  !  " 

The  step  of  the  free-trader,  as  he  advanced  nearer  to  his 
companion,  was  full  of  dignity  ;  and  his  keen  eye  glowed  with 
the  resentment  of  an  offended  man. 

"Alderman  Van  Beverout,"  he  said,  with  stern  rebuke  in 
his  voice,  "you  receive  your  daughter,  stainless  as  was  her 
unfortunate  mother,  when  necessity  compelled  him  whose  be 
ing  was  wrapped  up  in  hers,  to  trust  her  beneath  your  roof. 
We  of  the  contraband  have  our  own  opinions  of  right  and 
wrong ;  and  my  gratitude,  no  less  than  my  principles,  teaches 
me  that  the  descendant  of  my  benefactor  is  to  be  protected, 
not  injured.  Had  I,  in  truth,  been  the  brother  of  Eudora, 
language  and  conduct  more  innocent  could  not  have  been 
shown  her,  than  that  she  has  both  heard  and  witnessed  while 
guarded  by  my  care." 

"  From  my  soul,  I  thank  thee  !  "  burst  from  the  lips  of  the 
alderman.  "  The  girl  shall  be  acknowledged  ;  and,  with  such 
a  dowry  as  I  can  give,  she  may  yet  hope  for  a  suitable  and 
honorable  marriage." 

*'  Thou  mayst  bestow  her  on  thy  favorite  patroon,"  returned 


366  THE    WATER  WITCH. 

the  Skimmer,  with  a  calm  but  sad  eye.  "  She  is  more  than 
worthy  of  all  he  can  return.  The  man  is  willing  to  take  her, 
for  he  is  not  ignorant  of  her  sex  and  history.  That  much  I 
thought  due  to  Eudora  herself,  when  fortune  placed  the  young 
man  in  my  power." 

"Thou  art  only  too  honest  for  this  wicked  world,  Master 
Skimmer !  Let  me  see  the  loving  pair,  and  bestow  my  bless 
ing  on  the  instant  !  " 

The  free-trader  turned  slowly  away,  and,  opening  a  door, 
he  motioned  for  those  within  to  enter.  Alida  instantly  ap 
peared,  leading  the  counterfeit  Seadrift,  clad  in  the  proper  at 
tire  of  her  sex.  Although  the  burgher  had  often  seen  the  sup 
posed  sister  of  the  Skimmer  in  her  female  habiliments,  she 
never  before  had  struck  him  as  a  being  of  so  rare  beauty  as  at 
that  moment.  The  silken  whiskers  had  been  removed,  and  in 
their  places  were  burning  cheeks,  that  were  rather  enriched 
than  discolored  by  the  warm  touches  of  the  sun.  The  dark  glossy 
ringlets,  that  were  no  longer  artfully  converted  to  the  purposes 
of  the  masquerade,  fell  naturally  in  curls  about  the  temples  and 
brows,  shading  a  countenance  which  in  general  was  playfully 
arch,  though  at  that  moment  it  was  shadowed  by  reflection 
and  feeling.  It  is  seldom  that  two  such  beings  are  seen  to 
gether  as  those  who  now  knelt  at  the  feet  of  the  merchant.  In 
the  breast  of  the  latter,  the  accustomed  and  lasting  love  of  the 
uncle  and  protector  appeared,  for  an  instant,  to  struggle  with 
the  new-born  affection  of  a  parent.  Nature  was  too  strong  for 
even  his  blunted  and  perverted  sentiment;  and,  calling  his 
~bild  aloud  by  name,  the  selfish  and  calculating  alderman  sank 
upon  the  neck  of  Eudora,  and  wept.  It  would  have  been  dif 
ficult  to  trace  the  emotions  of  the  stern  but  observant  free 
trader,  as  he  watched  the  progress  of  this  scene.  Distrust,  un 
easiness,  and,  finally,  melancholy,  were  in  his  eye.  With  the 
latter  expression  predominant,  he  quitted  the  room,  like  one 
who  felt  a  stranger  had  no  right  to  witness  emotions  so 
sacred. 

Two  hours  later,  and  the  principal  personages  of  the  nar 
rative  were  assembled  on  the  margin  of  the  cove,  beneath  the 
shade  of  an  oak  that  seemed  coeval  with  the  continent.  The 
brigantine  was  aweigh ;  and,  under  a  light  show  of  canvas, 
she  was  making  easy  stretches  in  the  little  basin,  resembling, 
by  the  ease  and  grace  of  her  movements,  some  beautiful  swan 
sailing  up  and  down  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  instinct.  A 
boat  had  just  touched  the  shore,  and  the  "  Skimmer  of  the 


THE   WATER-WITCH,  367 

Seas"  stood  near,  stretching  out  a  hand  to  aid  the  boy  Zephyt 
to  land. 

"We  subjects  of  the  elements  are  slaves  to  superstition,"  he 
said,  when  the  light  foot  of  the  child  touched  the  ground. 
"It  is  the  consequence  of  lives  which  ceaselessly  present  dan 
gers  superior  to  our  powers.  For  many  years  have  I  be 
lieved  that  some  great  good,  or  some  greater  evil,  would  ac 
company  the  first  visit  of  this  boy  to  the  land.  For  the  first 
time,  his  foot  now  stands  on  solid  earth.  I  await  the  fulfil 
ment  of  the  augury  ! ' ' 

"  It  will  be  happy,"  returned Ludlow.  ««  Alida  and  Eudora 
will  instruct  him  in  the  opinions  of  this  simple  and  fortunate 
country,  and  he  seemeth  one  likely  to  do  early  credit  to  his 
schooling." 

."  I  fear  the  boy  will  regret  the  lessons  of  the  sea-green  lady  ! 
— Captain  Ludlow,  there  is  yet  a  duty  to  perform,  which,  as  a 
man  of  more  feeling  than  you  may  be  disposed  to  acknowl 
edge,  I  cannot  neglect.  I  have  understood  that  you  are  ac 
cepted  by  la  belle  Barberie?" 

"  Such  is  my  happiness." 

"  Sir,  in  dispensing  with  explanation  of  the  past  you  have 
shown  a  noble  confidence,  that  merits  a  return.  When  I 
came  mpon  this,  coast,  it  was  with  a  determination  of  estab 
lishing  the  claims  of  Eudora  to  the  protection  and  fortune  of 
her  father.  If  I  distrusted  the  influence  and  hostility  of 
one  so  placed,  and  so  gifted  to  persuade,  as  this  lady,  you 
will  remember  it  was  before  acquaintance  had  enabled  me  to 
estimate  more  than  her  beauty.  She  was  seized  in  her  pa 
vilion  by  my  agency,  and  transported  as  a  captive  to  the 
brigantine." 

"I  had  believed  her  acquainted  with  the  history  of  her 
cousin,  and  willing  to  aid  in  some  fantasy  which  was  to  lead 
to  the  present  happy  restoration  of  the  latter  to  her  natural 
friends." 

"You  did  her  disinterestedness  no  more  than  justice.  As 
some  atonement  for  the  personal  wrong,  and  as  the  speediest 
and  surest  means  of  appeasing  her  alarm,  I  made  my  captive 
acquainted  with  the  facts.  Eudora  then  heard,  also  for  the 
first  time,  the  history  of  her  origin.  The  evidence  was  ir 
resistible,  and  we  found  a  generous  and  devoted  friend  where 
we  had  expected  a  rival." 

"  I  knew  that  Alida  could  not  prove  less  generous  !  "  cried 
the  admiring  Ludlow,  raising  the  hand  of  the  blushing  girl  te 


368  THE    WATER-WITCH. 

his  lips.  "The  loss  of  fortune  is  a  gain,  by  showing  rtet 
true  character !  " 

"Hist! — hist — "  interrupted  the  alderman — "there  is  little 
need  to  proclaim  a  loss  of  any  kind.  What  must  be  done  in 
the  way  of  natural  justice,  will  doubtless  be  submitted  to  ;  but 
why  let  all  in  the  colony  know  how  much  or  how  little  is 
given  with  a  bride?  " 

"The  loss  of  fortune  will  be  amply  met,"  returned  the 
free-trader.  "These  bags  contain  gold.  The  dowry  of  my 
charge  is  ready  at  a  moment's  warning,  whenever  she  shall 
make  known  her  choice." 

"  Success  and  prudence  !  "  exclaimed  the  burgher.  "  There 
is  no  less  than  a  most  commendable  forethought  in  thy  provi 
sion,  Master  Skimmer ;  and,  whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of 
the  Exchequer  Judges  of  thy  punctuality  and  credit,  it  is  mine 
that  there  are  less  responsible  men  about  the  Bank  of  England 
itself ! — This  money  is,  no  doubt,  that  which  the  girl  can  law 
fully  claim  in  right  of  her  late  grandfather  !  " 

"It  is." 

"  I  take  this  to  be  a  favorable  moment  to  speak  plainly  on  a 
subject  which  is  very  near  my  heart,  and  which  may  as  well 
be  broached  under  such  favorable  auspices  as  under  any 
other.  I  understand,  Mr.  Van  Staats,  that,  on  a  further  ex 
amination  of  your  sentiments  toward  an  old  friend,  you  are  of 
opinion  that  a  closer  alliance  than  the  one  we  had  contem 
plated  will  most  conduce  to  your  happiness  ?  " 

"  I  will  acknowledge  that  the  coldness  of  la  belle  Barberie 
has  damped  my  own  warmth,"  returned  the  Patroon  of  Kin- 
derhook,  who  rarely  delivered  himself  of  more,  at  a  time,  than 
the  occasion  required. 

"  And,  furthermore,  I  have  been  told,  sir,  that  an  intimacy 
of  a  fortnight  has  given  you  reason  to  fix  your  affections  on  my 
daughter,  whose  beauty  is  hereditary,  and  whose  fortune  is  not 
likely  to  be  diminished  by  this  act  of  justice  on  the  part  of 
that  upright  and  gallant  mariner." 

* '  To  be  received  into  the  favor  of  your  family,  Mr.  Van 
Beverout,  would  leave  me  little  to  desire  in  his  life." 

"  And  as  for  the  other  world,  I  never  heard  of  a,  Patroon  of 
Kinderhook  who  did  not  leave  us  with  comfortable  hopes  for 
the  future  ;  as  in  reason  they  should,  since  few  families  in  the 
colony  have  done  more  for  the  support  of  religion  than  they. 
They  gave  largely  to  the  Dutch  churches  in  Manhattan ;  have 
actually  built,  with  their  own  means,  three  very  pretty  brick 
edifices  on  the  manor,  each  having  its  Flemish  steeple  and 


TUB    WATER-WITCH  365 

suitable  weathercocks,  besides  having  done  something  hand 
some  toward  the  venerable  structure  in  Albany. — Eudora.  my 
child,  this  gentleman  is  a  particular  friend,  and  as  such  I  can 
presume  to  recommend  him  to  thy  favor.  You  are  not  abso 
lutely  strangers ;  but,  in  order  that  you  may  have  every  occa 
sion  to  decide  impartially,  you  will  remain  here  together  for  a 
month  longer,  which  will  enable  you  to  choose  without  dis 
traction  and  confusion.  More  than  this,  for  the  present,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  say ;  for  it  is  my  practice  to  leave  all  matters  of 
ihis  magnitude  entirely  to  Providence." 

The  daughter,  on  whose  speaking  face  the  color  went  and 
came,  like  lights  changing  in  an  Italian  sky,  continued  silent. 

"  You  have  happily  put  aside  the  curtain  which  concealed  a 
mystery  that  no  longer  gave  me  uneasiness,"  interrupted  Lud- 
iow,  addressing  the  free-trader.  "  Can  you  do  more,  and  say 
whence  came  this  letter  ?  " 

The  dark  eye  of  Eudora  instantly  lighted.  She  looked  at 
the  "  Skimmer  of  the  Seas,"  and  laughed. 

v  'Twas  another  of  those  womanly  artifices  which  have  been 
practised  in  my  brigantine.  It  was  thought  that  a  young  com 
mander  of  a  royal  cruiser  would  be  less  apt  to  watch  our 
movements,  were  his  mind  bent  on  the  discovery  of  such  a 
a  correspondent." 

fi  And  the  trick  has  be^n  practised  before?  " 

4'I  confess  it. — But  I  can  linger  no  longer.  In  a  few 
minutes  the  tide  will  turn,  and  the  inlet  become  impassable. 
Eudora,  we  must  decide  on  the  fortunes  of  this  child.  Shall 
he  to  the  ocean  again  ? — or  shall  he  remain,  to  vary  his  life 
with  a  landsman's  chances  ?  " 

"  Who  and  what  is  the  boy  ?  "  gravely  demanded  the  alder 
man. 

"  One  dear  to  both,"  rejoined  the  free-trader.  "  His  father 
was  my  nearest  friend,  and  his  mother  long  watched  the  youth 
of  Eudora.  Until  this  moment,  he  has  been  our  mutual  care 
— he  must  how  choose  between  us." 

"  He  will  not  quit  me!  "  hastily  interrupted  the  alarmed 
Eudora — "  Thou  art  my  adopted  son,  and  none  can  guide  thy 
roung  mind  like  me.  Thou  has  need  of  woman's  tenderness, 
.^phyr,  and  wilt  not  quit  me?" 

' '  Let  the  child  be  the  arbiter  of  his  own  fate.  I  ana 
credulous  on  the  point  of  fortune,  which  is,  at  least,  a  happy 
belief  for  the  contraband." 

"  Then  let  him  speak.  Wilt  remain  here,  amid  these  smil- 
*ng  fields,  to  ramble  among  yonder  gay  and  sweetly-scented 

24 


370  THE   WATER-WITCH, 

flowers  ? — or  wilt  thou  back  to  the  water,  where  all  is  vacant 
and  without  change  ?  " 

The  boy  looked  wistfully  into  her  anxious  eye,  then  he  bent 
his  own  hesitating  glance  on  the  calm  features  of  thefree-trader. 

"We  can  put  to  sea,"  he  said;  "and  when  we  make  the 
homeward  passage  again,  there  will  be  many  curious  things  for 
thee,  Eudora !  " 

"  But  this  may  be  the  last  opportunity  to  know  the  land  of 
thy  ancestors.  Remember  how  terrible  is  the  ocean  in  its 
anger,  and  how  often  the  brigantine  has  been  in  danger  of 
shipwreck !  " 

"  Nay,  that  is  womanish  ! — I  have  been  on  the  royal-yard  in 
the  squalls,  and  it  never  seemed  to  me  that  there  was  danger." 

"  Thou  hast  the  unconsciousness  and  reliance  of  a  ship-boy ! 
But  those  who  are  older,  know  that  the  life  of  a  sailor  is  one 
of  constant  and  imminent  hazard.  Thou  hast  been  among 
the  islands  in  the  hurricane,  and  hast  seen  the  power  of  the 
elements !  " 

"I  was  in  the  hurricane,  and  so  was  the  brigantine;  and 
there  you  see  how  taut  and  neat  she  is  aloft,  as  if  nothing  had 
happened  !  " 

<4  And  you  saw  us  yesterday  floating  on  the  open  sea,  while 
a  few  ill-fastened  spars  kept  us  from  going  into  its  depths ! " 

"The  spars  floated,  and  vou  were  not  drowned;  else  I 
should  have  wept  bitterly,  Eudora." 

"  But  thou  wilt  go  deeper  into  the  country,  and  see  more  of 
its  beauties — its  rivers  and  its  mountains — its  caverns  and  its 
woods.  Here  all  is  change,  while  the  water  is  ever  the  same." 

"Surely,  Eudora,  you  forget  strangely! — Here  it  is  all 
America.  This  mountain  is  America ;  yonder  land  across  the 
bay  is  America,  and  the  anchorage  of  yesterday  was  America. 
When  WQ  shall  run  off  the  coast*,  the  next  land -fall  will  be 
England,  or  Holland,  or  Africa;  and,  with  a  good  wind,  we 
may  run  down  the  shores  of  two  or  three  countries  in  a  day." 

"  And  on  them,  too,  thoughtless  boy  !  If  you  lose  this  oc 
casion,  thy  life  will  be  wedded  to  hazard  !  " 

"  Farewell,  Eudora  !  "  said  the  urchin,  raising  his  mouth  to 
give  and  receive  the  parting  kiss. 

.  "  Eudora,  adiect '!  "  added  a  deep  and  melancholy  voice,  at 
her  elbow.  "I  can  delay  no  longer,  for  my  people  show- 
symptoms  of  impatience.  Should  this  be  the  last  of  my 
voyages  to  the  coast,  thou  wilt  not  forget  those  with  whom  thou 
hast  so  long  shared  good  and  evil !" 

"Not  yet — -not  yet — you  will  not  quit  us  yet !     Leave  me 


THE   WATER  WITCH  371 

the  boy — leave  me  some  other  memorial  of  the  past,  besides 
this  pain ! " 

"  My  hour  has  come.  The  wind  is  freshening,  and  I  trifle 
with  its  favor.  'Twill  be  better  for  thy  happiness  that  none  know 
the  history  of  the  brigantine;  a  few  hours  will  draw  a  hundred 
curious  eyes  from  the  town  upon  us." 

"What  care  I  for  their  opinions  ? — thou  wilt  not — cannot 
Cleave  me  yet ! " 

"  Gladly  would  I  stay,  Eudora,  but  a  seaman's  home  is  hid 
fihip.  Too  much  precious  time  is  already  wasted.  Once 
more,  adieu !  " 

The  dark  eye  of  Jthe  girl  glanced  wildly  about  her.  It 
seemed  as  if,  in  that  one  quick  and  hurried  look,  it  drauk  in 
all  that  belonged  to  the  land  and  its  enjoyments. 

4 'Whither  go  you?"  she  asked,  scarce  suffering  her  voice 
to  rise  above  a  whisper.  "Whither  do  you  sail,  and  when  do 
you  return  ?  " 

"I  follow  Fortune.  My  return  may  be  distant — never  !— 
Adieu  then,  Eudora — be  happy  with  the  friends  that  Provi 
dence  hath  given  thee !  " 

The  wandering  eyes  of  the  girl  of  the  sea  became  still  more 
unsettled.  She  grasped  the  offered  hand  of  the  free-trader  in 
both  her  own,  and  wrung  it  in  an  impassioned  and  uncon 
scious  manner.  Then,  releasing  her  hold,  she  opened  wide 
her  arms,  and  cast  them  convulsively  about  his  unmoved  and 
unyielding  form. 

"  We  will  go  together  ! — I  am  thine,  and  thine  only  ! " 

"Thou  knowest  not  what  thou  sayest,  Eudora  1"  gasped 
the  Skimmer.  "  Thou  hast  a  father — friend — husband — " 

"Away,  away!"  cried  the  frantic  girl,  waving  her  hand 
wildly  toward  Alida  and  the  patroon,  who  advanced  as  if  hur 
rying  to  rescue  her  from  a  precipice. — "Thine,  and  thine  only !  M 

The  smuggler  released  himself  from  her  frenzied  grasp,  and, 
with  the  strength  of  a  giant,  he  held  the  struggling  girl  at  the 
length  of  his  arm,  whils  he  endeavored  to  control  the  tempest 
of  passion  that  struggled  within  him. 

"Think,  for  one  moment,  think!"  he  said.  "Thou 
wouldst  follow  an  outcast — an  outlaw — one  hunted  and  con 
demned  of  men  !  " 

"  Thine,  and  thine  only  !  " 

"  With  a  ship  for  a  dwelling — the  tempestuous  ocean  for  a 
world  ! " 

"Thy  world  is  my  world! — thy  home  my  home — thf 
dangtr,  mine  t  " 


37*  THE  WATER-WITCH. 

The  shout  which  burst  out  of  the  chest  of  the  "  Skimmei 
of  the  Seas  "  was  one  of  uncontrollable  exultation. 

"Thou  art  mine  !  "  he  cried.  "  Before  a  tie  like  this,  the 
claim  of  such  a  father  is  forgotten  !  Burgher,  adieu  ! — I  will 
deal  by  thy  daughter  more  honestly  than  thou  didst  deal  by 
my  benefactor's  child  !  " 

Eudora  was  lifted  from  the  ground  as  if  her  weight  had 
been  that  of  a  feather ;  and,  spite  of  a  sudden  and  impetuous 
movement  of  Ludlow  and  the  patroon,  she  was  borne  to  the 
boat.  In  a  moment  the  bark  was  afloat,  with  the  gallant  boy 
tossing  his  sea-cap  upward  in  triumph.  The  brigantine,  as  if 
conscious  of  what  had  passed,  wore  round  like  a  whirling 
chariot ;  and  ere  the  spectators  had  recovered  from  their  con 
fusion  and  wonder,  the  boat  was  hanging  at  the  tackles.  The 
free-trader  was  seen  on  the  poop,  with  an  arm  cast  about  the 
form  of  Eudora,  waving  a  hand  to  the  motionless  group  on 
the  shore,  while  the  still  half-unconscious  girl  of  the  ocean 
signed  her  faint  adieus  to  Alida  and  her  father.  The  vessel 
glided  through  the  inlet,  and  was  immediately  rocking  on  the 
billows  of  the  surf.  Then,  taking  the  full  weight  of  the 
southern  breeze,  the  fine  and  attenuated  spars  bent  to  its  force, 
and  the  progress  of  the  swift-moving  craft  was  apparent  by  the 
bubbling  line  of  its  wake. 

The  day  had  begun  to  decline,  before  Alida  and  Ludlow 
quitted  the  lawn  of  the  Lust  in  Rust.  For  the  first  hour,  the 
dark  hull  of  the  brigantine  was  seen  supporting  the  moving 
cloud  of  canvas.  Then  the  low  structure  vanished,  and  sail 
after  sail  settled  into  the  water,  until  nothing  was  visible  but  a 
speck  of  glittering  white.  It  lingered  for  a  minute,  and  was 
swallowed  in  the  void. 

The  nuptials  of  Ludlow  and  Alida  were  touched  with  a 
shade  of  melancholy.  Natural  affection  in  one,  and  pro 
fessional  sympathy  in  the  other,  had  given  them  a  deep  and 
lasting  interest  in  the  fate  of  the  adventurers. 

Years  passed  away,  and  months  were  spent  at  the  villa,  in 
which  a  thousand  anxious  looks  were  cast  upon  the  ocean. 
Each  morning  during  the  early  months  of  summer  did  Alida. 
hasten  to  the  windows  of  her  pavilion,  in  the  hope  of  seeing 
the  vessel  of  the  contraband  anchored  in  the  cove;  but 
always  without  success.  It  never  returned ;  and,  though  the 
rebuked  and  disappointed  alderman  caused  many  secret  in 
quiries  to  be  made  along  the  whole  extent  of  the  American 
coast,  he  never  again  heard  of  the  renowned  "  SKIMMER  o* 
THE  SEAS/'  or  of  his  matchless  WA.TF.R- WITCH- 


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Hawthorne. 

55.  Autobiography  of  Benjamin  Franklin. 

56.  Song  of  Hiawatha,     Longfellow. 

57.  Evangeline,     and      Poems.      Long 

fellow. 

58.  Sketch  Book.     Irving. 

59.  Stickit  Minister.    S.  R.  Crockett. 

60.  House  of  the  Seven  Gables.     Haw- 

thprne. 

61.  Poetical  Works  of  Robert  Browning. 

62.  Paradise  Lost.     Milton. 

63.  Hamlet.    Shakespeare. 

64.  Julius  Caesar.     Shakespeare. 

65.  Book  of  Golden  Deeds.    Yonge. 

66.  Child's  History  of  England.     Dick 

ens. 

67.  Confessions  of  an  Opium  Eater.    De 

Quincey. 

68.  Ten  Nights  in  a  Barroom.     Arthur. 

69.  Treasure  Island.     Stevenson. 

70.  Tanglewood  Tales.     Hawthorne. 

71.  In  His  Steps.     Chas.  M.  Sheldon. 

72.  Natural  Law  in  the  Spiritual  World, 

Henry  Drummond. 

73.  Imitation  of  Christ.     T.  a  Kempis. 

74.  Paradise  Regained.     John  Milton. 

75.  Water  Babies.     Kingsley. 

76.  Flower  Fables.     L.  M.  Alcott. 

77.  Blithedale  Romance.    Hawthorne. 

78.  Prue  and  I.     G.  W.  Curtis. 

79.  Grandfather's  Chair.     Hawthorne. 

80.  Bacon's  Essays. 

8z.  Idylls  of  the  King.    Tennyson. 

82.  Wonder  Book.     Hawthorne. 

83.  Cricket  on  the  Hearth.    C.  Dickens. 

84.  Idle  Thoughts   of    an    Idle   Fellow. 

Jerome  K.  Jerome. 

85.  Inez.     Augusta  J.  Evans. 

86.  Kidnapped.     R.  L.  Stevenson. 

87.  Lucile.     Owen  Meredith. 

88.  Phillips  Brooks1  Addresses. 

89.  Prince  of  the  House  of  David.     Pro 

fessor  Ingraham. 

90.  Three  Men  in  a  Boat.    J.  K.  Jerome. 


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A  Final  Reckoning 

A  Tale  of  Bush  Life  in  Australia 
Among  the  Malay  Pirates 
By  England's  Aid 

The  Freeing  of  the  Netherlands 
By  Right  of  Conquest 

A  Tale  of  Cortez  in  Mexico 
Bravest  of  the  Brave 

A  Tale  of  Peterborough  in  Spain 
By  Pike  and  Dyke 

The  Rise  of  the  Dutch  Republic 
By  Sheer  Pluck 

A  Tale  of  the  Ashantee  War 
Bonnie  Prince  Charlie 

A  Tale  of  Fontenoy  and  Culloden 
Captain  Bayley's  Heir 

A  Tale  of  the  Gold  Fields  of  California 
Cat  of  Bubastes 

A  Story  of  Ancient  Egypt 
Colonel  Thorndyke's  Secret 
Cornet  of  Horse 

A  Tale  of  Marlborough's  Wars 
Facing  Death 

A  Tale  of  the  Coal  Mines 
Friends,  though  Divided 

A  Tale  of  the  Civil  War  in  England 
For  Name  and  Fame 

A  Tale  of  Afghan  Warfare 
For  the  Temple 

A  Tale  of  the  Fall  of  Jerusalem 
In  Freedom's  Cause 

A  Story  of  Wallace  and  Bruce 
Jn  the  Reign  of  Terror 

The  Adventures  of  a  Westminster  Boy 
la  Times  of  Peril  A  Tale  of  India 
Jack  Archer  A  Tale  of  the  Crimea 
Lion  of  St.  Mark 

A  Tale  of  Venice  in  the  XIV.  Century 
Von  of  the  North 

A  Tale  of  Gustavus  Adolphus 


Maori  and  Settler 

A  Tale  of  the  New  Zealand  War 
Orange  and  Green 

A  Tale  of  the  Boyne  and  Limerick 
One  of  the  a8th  A  Tale  of  Waterloo 
Out  on  the  Pampas 

A  Tale  of  South  America 
Rujub  the  Juggler 
St.  George  for  England 

A  Tale  of  Crecy  and  Poictiers 
Sturdy  and  Strong 
True  to  the  Old  Flag 

A  Tale  of  the  Rev^atioB 
The  Golden  Canon 
The  Lost  Heir 
The  Young  Colonists 

A  Tale  of  the  Zulu  and  Boer  Wars- 
The  Young  Midshipman 
The  Dragon  and  the  Raven 

A  Tale  of  King  Alfred 


The  Boy  Knight 


A  Tale  of  the  Crusades 
Through  the  Fray 

A  Story  of  the  Luddite  Riots 
Under  Drake's  Flag 

A  Tale  of  the  Spanish  Main 
With  Wolfe  in  Canada 

The  Tale  of  Winning  a  Continent 
With  Clive  in  India 

The  Beginning  of  an  Empire 
With  Lee  in  Virginia 

A  Story  of  the  American  Civil  War 
Young  Carthaginian 

A  Story  of  the  Times  of  Hannibal 
Young  Buglers 

A  Tale  of  the  Peninsular  War 
Young  Franc-Tireurs 

A  Tale  of  the  Franco-Prussian  Was 


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BOYS  OF  THE  FORT ;  or,  A  Young  Captain's  Pluck 

Captain  Bonehill  is  at  his  best  when  relating  a  tale  of  military  adventure,  and  this 
-story  of  stirring  doings  at  one  of  our  well-known  forts  in  the  Wild  West  is  of  more 
than  ordinary  interest.  The  young  captain  had  a  difficult  task  to  accomplish,  but  he 
had  been  drilled  to  do  his  duty,  and  he  did  it  thoroughly.  Gives  a  good  insight  into 
army  life  of  to-day. 

THE  YOUNG  BANDMASTER ;  or,  Concert  Stage  and  Battlefield 

In  this  tale  Captain  Bonehill  touches  upon  a  new  field.  The  hero  is  a  youth  with  a 
passion  for  music,  who,  compelled  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  becomes  a  cor- 
•netist  in  an  orchestra,  and  works  his  way  up,  first,  to  the  position  of  a  soloist,  and  then 
to  that  of  leader  of  a  brass  band.  He  is  carried  off  to  sea  and  falls  in  with  a  secret- 
service  cutter  bound  for  Cuba,  and  while  in  that  island  joins  a  military  band  which  ac 
companies  our  soldiers  in  the  never-to-be-forgotten  attack  on  Santiago.  A  mystery 
connected  with  the  hero's  inheritance  adds  to  the  interest  of  the  talc. 

OFF  FOR  HAWAII ;  or,  The  Mystery  of  a  Great  Volcano 

Here  we  have  fact  and  romance  cleverly  interwoven.  Several  boys  start  on  a  tour 
•of  the  Hawaiian  Islands.  They  have  heard  that  there  is  a  treasure  located  in  the 
vicinity  of  Kilauea.  the  largest  active  volcano  in  the  world,  and  go  in  search  of  it. 
Their  numerous  adventures  will  be  followed  with  much  interest. 

A  SAILOR  BOY  WITH  DEWEY ;  or,  Afloat  in  the  Philippines 

The  story  of  Dewey's  victory  in  Manila  Bay  will  never  grow  old,  but  here  we  have 
it  told  in  a  new  form — not  as  those  in  command  witnessed  the  contest,  but  as  it  ap 
peared  to  a  real,  live  American  youth  who  was  in  the  navy  at  the  time.  Many  ad 
ventures  in  Manila  and  in  the  interior  follow,  giving  true-to-life  scenes  from  this 
remote  portion  of  the  globe.  A  book  that  should  be  in  every  boy's  library. 

WHEN  SANTIAGO  FELL ;  or,  The  War  Adventures  of  Two  Chums 

Captain  Bonehill  has  never  penned  a  better  tale  than  this  stirring  story  of  adventures 
in  Cuba.  Two  boys,  an  American  and  his  Cuban  chum,  leave  New  York  to  join  their 
parents  in  the  interior  of  Cuba.  The  war  between  Spain  and  the  Cubans  is  on,  and 
the  boys  are  detained  at  Santiago  de  Cuba,  but  escape  by  crossing  the  bay  at  night. 
Many  adventures  between  the  lines  follow,  and  a  good  pen-picture  of  General  Garcia 
is  given.  The  American  lad,  with  others,  is  captured  and  cast  into  a.  dungeon  in 

General 
want  to 


Santiago  ;  and  then  follows  the  never-to-be-forgotten  campaign  in  Cuba  under 
Shatter.     How  the  hero  finally  escapes  makes  reading  no  wide-awake  boy  will 


Press  Opinions  of  Captain  Bonehill's  Books  for  Boys 

"  Captain  Bonehill's  stories  will  always  be  popular  with  our  boys,  for  the  reason  that 
they  are  thoroughly  up-to-date  and  true  to  life.  As  a  writer  of  outdoor  tales  he  has  no 
rival." — Bright  Days. 

"  The  story  is  by  Captain  Ralph  Bonehill,  and  that  is  all  that  need  be  said  about  it, 
for  all  of  our  readers  know  that  the  captain  is  one  of  America's  best  story-tellers,  so  far 
as  stories  for  young  people  go." — Young  Ptofle  of  America. 

"  We  understand  that  Captain  Bonehill  will  soon  be  turning  from  sporting  stories  to 
tales  of  the  war.  This  field  is  one  in  which  he  should  feel  thoroughly  at  home.  We 
are  certain  that  the  boys  will  look  eagerly  for  the  Bonehill  war  tales." — Weeklf 
Messenger, 

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MEADE,  whose  copyright  works  can  only 
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THE  FOLLOWING  ARE  THE  TITLES 


The  Children  of  Wilton  Chase 
Bashful  Fifteen 

Betty :  A  Schoolgirl 
Four  on  an  Island 
Girls  New  and  Old 

Out  of  the  Fashion 
The  Palace  Beautiful 

Polly,  a  New-Fashioned  Girl 
Bed  Rose  and  Tiger  Lily 
Temptation  of  Olive  Letimer 
A  King  of  Rubies 

*  «weet  Girl  Graduate 


A  World  of  Girls 
Good  Luck 

A  Girl  in  Ten  Thousand 
A  Young  Mutineer 
Wild  Kitty 

The  Children's  Pilgrimage 
The  Girls  of  St.  Wode's 
Light  o'  the  Morning 
Bad  Little  Hannah 
Rebellion  of  Lill  Carrington 

A  Little  Mother  to  the  Other* 
Merry  Girls  of  England 


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Tfce  water  witch.       1890 


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THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARY 


